Byron Hanson on Everett Lee: 'Everett was in the room with his son and is therefore alive though nearly 100 years old!'

[Everett Lee (Photo from Marquette University Archives, taken by Carl Van Vechten]

Yesterday AfriClassical posted: “'On An Overgrown Path' Seeks Missing Details on African American Conductor & Violinist Everett Lee, born 1913, Wheeler, WV.” Today the search bore fruit when we learned from Byron Hanson, Archivist of Interlochen Center for the Arts, that Everett Lee is alive:

“Dear Mr. Zick,

Regarding Everett Lee, I had a call out of the blue from his son just a couple of weeks ago asking me to verify a concert Mr Lee conducted at Interlochen in 1974. Everett was in the room with his son and is therefore alive though nearly 100 years old!

“I am to fax him the program copy regarding the concert here and, while I will not volunteer the contact information without his permission, I will call his attention to Mr. Shingleton's article and query and suggest that there could be mutual value in collaboration in the matter of Everett Lee's life during the past 35 years.

“For the benefit of Mr. Shingleton, please forward the information that Everett Lee spent a week at Interlochen Arts Camp [then known as National Music Camp] approximately August 5-11, 1974. He was employed by the University of Michigan to conduct their All-State High School Orchestra on our campus. Normally a single conductor is engaged for this two-week event, but perhaps Lee was not available for more than the single week. His concert on August 11 presented the Mozart Overture to The Magic Flute, Bartok's Romanian Folk Dances and the Borodin Symphony No. 2.. How he came to be employed for this engagement I know not, but perhaps someone in the UM School of Music could find reference to the matter. I will be happy to help further, but this is all the information I have available at present.

Sincerely,

Byron Hanson

Archivist

Interlochen Center for the Arts”

We forwarded the above email to Bob Shingleton of the blog On an Overgrown Path, and promptly received this reply:

“Bill, that is quite wonderful news and I will share it with my readers. There is no problem with my contact details being shared and I would truly love to fill in those blank years in Everett Lee's biography. Thanks for your co-operation in this,

Regards,

Bob”

AfriClassical congratulates Bob Shingleton on his well-timed inquiry into the later career of the notable conductor Everett Lee, and thanks Byron Hanson for contributing the crucial information.

William Warfield recorded 'Old Man River' for 'Showboat' 'in a single take that was flawless!”

[William Warfield (1920-2002)]

On May 28, 2011 AfriClassical posted: “Byron Hanson, Interlochen Archivist: William Warfield 'made outstanding recordings of German repertoire as well.'” We thanked Byron Hanson for his contribution, and he replied:

“You're most welcome - Warfield was a student of a friend of mine. WW wrote memoirs that were published near the end of his life that would be good reading for today's students. I believe the book was in print for only a short time, however. Of particular merit was his account of singing Old Man River for the early 50's movie of Showboat. To the amazement of the film technicians he recorded it in a single take that was flawless! They listened to the playback several times and could find no reason to 'try it again'!

Best regards,

Byron”

Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma made this comment on the same post:

“Within the cassette collection of Ben Holt, given me by his mother (and not at all yet inventoried, much less digitized) is a recital given by Bill Warfield in Oslo, back when he was in excellent voice. Therein is a performance of Danse macabre (the vocal version) of Saint-Saëns, with beautifully articulated French. Doubtless that cassette also includes Lieder. I hope to present a complete discography of his work in my present project (contributed data woud be welcomed!). When he visited me here in Wisconsin, he informally sang Ol' man river for our chorus auf Deutsch as he had done so times in Vienna -- that's where I was when I heard of his death. While here, he enjoyed chatting with his classmate from Eastman days, Mari Tanaguchi, an emerita voice professor at Lawrence University. The autographed copy of his autobiography, which he gave me, is now within the holdings of the Center for Black Music Research.”

John Malveaux of MusicUntold.com added a comment which could apply to both Byron Hanson, the Interlochen archivist, and Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma:

“I am reminded of a comment made by Malcolm X's daughter about the importance of history. She said every time an elder dies 'it's like a library burning down'. I hope you live many more years.

John Malveaux”

Byron Hanson, Interlochen Archivist: William Warfield 'made outstanding recordings of German repertoire as well.'

[William Warfield (1920-2002)]

On May 27, 2011 AfriClassical posted: “John Malveaux: 'Aaron Copland also accompanied legendary Baritone William Warfield on the 1953 Columbia Records recording.'” Today we were pleased to receive additional details on William Warfield's performances from Byron Hanson, Archivist of the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, Michigan. The website Interlochen.org says:

“Byron Hanson has served Interlochen since 1965 as conductor of band or orchestra; as coach-accompanist for individual students in lessons, competitions, auditions and recitals; and in administrative roles. In 2009 he began his new position as Interlochen's archivist.”

Byron Hanson tells us:

“I have enjoyed keeping up with AfriClassical postings and getting news about a number of our former students thereby. In response to John Malveaux's appreciation for the Copland/Warfield collaboration in the 1953 recording of the second set of Old American Songs, I would add that they also recorded the first set together exactly two years earlier, in August of 1951. Mr. Warfield is justifiably identified with his fine performances of these American songs, but he made outstanding recordings of German repertoire as well. Five of Carl Loewe's ballads and the Vier ernste gesange of Brahms with pianist Otto Herz are wonderful to hear. Toward the end of Mr. Warfield's life I was privileged to conduct a program at Interlochen that included his stirring narrration of Copland's A Lincoln Portrait, a work he also narrated in French and German in the post-war years.

Byron Hanson

Archivist

Interlochen Center for the Arts"

http://www.interlochen.org