Thursday, October 22, 2015

Charleston Chronicle: 2015 Colour of Music Festival [Saturday evening black tie gala performance of Hailstork’s Shout for Joy!] [Oct. 24]

Marlon Daniel

Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799)

Adolphus C. Hailstork (b. 1941)


Charleston, South Carolina

October 21, 2015
 
Few classical music enthusiasts are aware of the tremendous contributions of Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, an African-French composer whose opera and classical masterpieces equaled or far exceeded those of his 18th century contemporaries.

Although his compositions are highly recognized overseas, they have gathered little notice in the United States. Today there are thousands of celebrated and prodigiously talented classical principals, composers and performers of African descent throughout the world. Yet, their opportunities to grace concert stages of major American orchestras are rare to non-existent. The Colour of Music Festival’s mission is reversing this trend.

Now in its third year the Colour of Music Festival offers a musical kaleidoscope highlighting the impact and historical significance of black classical composers and performers on American and world culture. The third annual Colour of Music Festival will take place October 21-25, 2015 at various venues throughout historic Charleston, South Carolina.

Showcasing acclaimed black chamber ensemble players and artists to form the Colour of Music Festival Orchestra, the five-day festival showcases top black classical musicians in the U.S., Canada, Russia, the Caribbean, Africa and Europe trained at some of the most prestigious music schools, conservatories and universities in the world.

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Another Festival first includes a Saturday evening black tie gala performance of Hailstork’s Shout for Joy! followed by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony on Saturday, October 24. The Festival closes Sunday, October 25 with a glorious Ode to Black Composers in a performance of Johannes Brahms’ German Requiem under the baton of acclaimed Morehouse College Glee Club Conductor, David E. Morrow. The performance is dedicated to Charleston’s Emanuel-9 shooting victims.

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