Friday, July 14, 2017

John Malveaux: Part 13-LBCAA 30 year history

REFLECTIONS ON AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC
Dominique-René de Lerma

 Scena From ERNESTINE
Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Edited by Dominique-René de Lerma


John Malveaux of 
writes:
 
Part 13-LBCAA 30 year history

Founded in 1997 by Dr. Darryl Taylor, the African American Art Song Alliance is the website home of interchange between performers and scholars interested in art song by African-American composers.  In 2012, Dr. Taylor cancelled John Malveaux and MusicUNTOLD privileges to post on his website due to a booking disagreement in connection with MusicUNTOLD 150th Anniversary of Emancipation Proclamation Concert. The website Africlassical.com was launched by William J Zick in 2000 as a nonprofit educational venture promoting awareness of African Heritage in Classical Music. John Malveaux and MusicUNTOLD have enjoyed a continuous and privileged relationship with africlassical.com  Both websites are invaluable and complimentary..

During earlier years, I discovered Dominique-René de Lerma' book Reflections on Afro-American Music. Dr. de Lerma became a significant contributor to the detailed documentation of Africlassical.com website. Dr. de Lerma had a detailed expansive knowledge of classical and opera music. ERNESTINE was the first of perhaps seven operas composed by Saint-Georges between 1777 and 1790. None of the operas were successful but the failures were not attributed to the music but to the weakness of libretto. 

MusicUNTOLD purchased Dr. de Lerma' edition (soprano with piano reduction) of SCENA FROM ERNESTINE. The SCENA has been recorded by Faye Robinson, soprano, with the London Symphony Orchestra under baton of Paul Freeman on the first volume of the Black Composers Series (Columbia Records). MusicUNTOLD will produce a live  performance of the aria in the future. See cover of book and cover of printed music.
 
During African American Heritage Month 2010, MusicUNTOLD presented countertenor Darryl Taylor in recital featuring songs from under-represented African American composers in Daniel Recital Hall, Cal State Long Beach. See flyer
 

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