Adolphus Hailstork
The Orchestra of Central New York
In The New World
Nov. 6-7, 2021
Program Notes
Peter J. Rabinowitz
Given this dizzying interplay between Europe and the United States, the
1985 American Fanfare by Adolphus Hailstork (b. 1941) is an especially
appropriate opener. Arguably the eminence grise among Black composers
and teachers, Rochester-born Hailstork is celebrating his 80th birthday
this year. Over his illustrious career, he’s written absolute music,
sacred music, and programmatic works with deep roots in US history and
culture (especially the history and culture of Black Americans),
including an opera about the Underground Railroad and a new tribute to
George Floyd. Today’s fanfare is, in the composer’s words, “A
juxtaposition of Euro-American and Afro-American styles”—the latter most
evident in the blues licks that enter the piece about halfway through.
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