Display Ad in Listen Magazine for 'Russian Viola Sonatas' of Eliesha Nelson & Glen Inanga

[Russian Viola Sonatas; Eliesha Nelson, viola; Glen Inanga, piano; Sono Luminus DSL-92136 (2011) (71:02)]

AfriClassical wrote on July 30, 2011: “Violist Eliesha Nelson & Pianist Glen Inanga Make Strong Case for Varvara Gaigerova, Alexander Winkler & Paul Juon.” Shortly thereafter, on Aug. 12, 2011 AfriClassical posted: “ClassicsOnline.com: 'Russian Viola Sonatas explores important, compelling viola literature not commonly heard on other releases.'”

We have listened to the recording many times. As we expected on first hearing, the CD of Eliesha Nelson and Glen Inanga has deepened our appreciation for Russian Romantic repertoire. It has been a great delight to discover such accomplished composers, unknown to us prior to this release.

The Fall 2011 Issue of the magazine Listen: Life With Classical Music devotes half a page to an advertisement for the recording, released as Sono Luminus DSL-92136 and distributed by Naxos of America. It reads: “GRAMMY® nominated violist Eliesha Nelson teams up with pianist Glen Inanga to present a unique and eclectic program of early 20th century Russian viola masterworks – bridging pre-Revolutionary Russian viola pieces and early Soviet period compositions with 2 world premiere recordings.”

Eliesha Nelson and Glen Inanga Record 'Russian Viola Sonatas' of Gaigerova, Winkler and Juon on Sono Luminus

[Russian Viola Sonatas; Eliesha Nelson, viola; Glen Inanga, piano; Sono Luminus (2011) (71:02)]

On February 27, 2011 AfriClassical posted: “Violist Eliesha Nelson & Pianist Glen Inanga Planning CD of 'Russian Romantic repertoire' this Fall.” AfriClassical has learned from Amazon.com that the CD Russian Viola Sonatas, featuring the African American violist Eliesha Nelson and the Nigerian pianist Glen Inanga, is due to be released July 26, 2011. Sono Luminus is the record label. The three composers are Varvara Gaigerova (1903-1944), Alexander Winkler (1865-1935) and Paul Juon (1872-1940).

Varvara Gaigerova is represented by her Suite for Viola & Piano, Op. 8. Alexander Winkler composed 2 Pieces for Viola and Piano, Op. 31, and Sonata Op. 10. Paul Juon's work on the disc is his Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 15.

Eliesha Nelson has released Quincy Porter, Complete Viola Works, on the Dorian Recordings label in 2009. Glen Inanga and his Duo partner Jennifer Micallef of Malta have made two recordings together. AfriClassical has interviewed both Eliesha Nelson and Glen Inanga, and has featured both many times.

Composer H. Leslie Adams on Viola Workshop Led By Violist Eliesha Nelson

BOTTOM: H. Leslie Adams TOP: Quincy Porter: Complete Viola Works; Eliesha Nelson, viola; John McLaughlin Williams, piano, harpsichord, violin, conductor; Douglas Rioth, harp; Northwest Sinfonia; Dorian Recordings DSL 90911 (2009)

AfriClassical has received a “Note to Viola Workshop Leaders re 4/2/10 Presentation at Seifullah Gallery,” from H. Leslie Adams. The topic of the Viola Workshop & Master Class, led by violist Eliesha Nelson, was a recent composition of his, “Ecstasy of Love for Viola and Piano.” The Subject of the Note, which is dated April 3, 2010, is “Success and Celebration.” It reads:

“Dear Eliesha, Dianna, Ranelle and Alice,

What a fine workshop-master class we had yesterday. The first such event I know of combining the contents of both media. All present were enriched. The session covered analysis, preparation and technique in both general and specific applications. Violists, pianists and auditors at variouslevels profited from a broad yet inclusive presentation.

“All this content wrapped in a context of enjoyment made for a very special event. The work itself, 'Ecstasy of Love,' has gotten off to a great start toward entering the concert and teaching repertoire. With great appreciation and congratulations, Leslie” HOMEPAGE: http://www.hleslieadams.com and http://www.hleslieadams.net

[H. Leslie Adams (b. 1932) is an African American composer, pianist and professor who is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a Works List and Bibliography by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma of Lawrence University Conservatory]

WKYC Television: 'Cleveland composer H. Leslie Adams honored'

[H. Leslie Adams]

February 20, 2010 12:50 PM
WKYC.com
“CLEVELAND -- Renowned Cleveland composer H. Leslie Adams was honored Monday February 15 by friends and family for his newest musical composition and contributions to classical music. Dr. Adams' composition, 'Ecstasy of Love' for viola and piano, was performed by Eliesha Nelson, violinist with the Cleveland Orchestra, and Dianna White-Gould, classical pianist who teaches at the Cleveland School of the Arts.”

“He is cited by the American Composers Alliance as one of the leading African American composers in the world, and his orchestral compositions have been performed by the Cleveland Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, Prague Radio Symphony, and Indianapolis Symphony. Adams has released two classical music CDs - 'Love Rejoices: Songs of H. Leslie Adams' and 'Twelve Etudes' - which feature not only instrumental music, but vocalists, as well. [H. Leslie Adams (b. 1932) is an African American composer, pianist and professor who is profiled at AfriClassical.com]

Comment by email
Thanks for the post on my tv interview. The program went very well, and the announcer seemed to like the subject of classical music. She asked questions about the importance of music in the public school curriculum. While the talking interview was running, footage of Monday's reception was sometimes shown. I understand this will be on the web shortly at http://www.wkyc.com/; the subject's name (in this case mine) is entered and the article and accompanying video can be viewed for several days. H. Leslie Adams

Eliesha Nelson and John McLaughlin Williams Perform 'Blues Lointains' on Video

AfriClassical has received this word from violist Eliesha Nelson regarding a Sono Luminus video of “Blues Lointains” (6:46) a work on the CD “Quincy Porter, Complete Viola Works"; Dorian Recordings DSL 90911 (2009):

“The video of me and John M. Williams performing the Blues Lointains is finally available! I have a link to it on my blog at http://www.elieshanelson.com/blog. Hope you enjoy! Eliesha”

Those who follow the link to Eliesha Nelson's website will also find a photo of her newborn son!

Comment by email
Thanks for the notice Bill! JMW

Comments on AfriClassical Interview With Eliesha Nelson; Link To Naxos Interview

[Quincy Porter, Complete Viola Works; Eliesha Nelson, viola; John McLaughlin Williams, violin, piano, harpsichord; Douglas Roth, harp; Northwest Sinfonia, John McLaughlin Williams, conductor; Dorian Recordings DSL 90911 (73:47) (2009)]

Comments on the interview AfriClassical had with violist Eliesha Nelson, posted in two parts, have appeared on the blog, in email and on Eliesha's blog. We present a selection of remarks. Eliesha sent us two emails after the first post:
(1) Thanks Bill! It's a nice interview, very personable! Eliesha
(2) Hi Bill, It was nice talking with you the other day! I thought you might be interested in an interview I did with Naxos of America about the Porter album. You can see it at: http://naxosofamerica.blogspot.com. Hope you are well. Eliesha

ElieshaNelson.com/blog
New interview on AfriClassical Blog
I had an interesting chat not too long ago with Bill Zick, who runs the Africlassical blog. It focuses on Africans and those of the African diaspora throughout the world who play and compose classical music. I was happy he wanted to do an interview about the Quincy Porter Complete Viola Works recording. Please check it out...
Posted by Eliesha on September 16th, 2009

Response from Ruth Nelson on ElieshaNelson.com/blog September 17, 2009:
Thank You for the Bill Zick chat. It was most informative about you, the Quincy Porter Project, the composer, Porter. I await the recording. Ruth Nelson

John McLaughlin Williams (JMW) also commented twice by email:
(1) Just read it. Excellent interview! You ask very apposite questions. Looking forward to part 2.
Thanks! JMW
(2) Excellent job, Bill. I hope a lot of people will see it. JMW

Taylor V commented on AfriClassical:
What a fantastic interview! I always find it interesting when musicians and artists hail from seemingly remote places. Somehow it adds a bit of mystery. Congrats on releasing your album!

Eliesha Nelson, African American Violist, To Record Complete Viola Works of Quincy Porter

John McLaughlin Williams tells AfriClassical: "Please take a look at Eliesha Nelson's website. She's a violist in the Cleveland Orchestra, one of only two black members there and one of the few African-American musicians who are members of a major orchestra. Eliesha is making a world premiere recording of the complete viola music of Quincy Porter, a member of the generation of great composers active during that golden age of American composition in the 1930's to 1950's. The cd has all of the viola chamber music with harp, violin, piano and harpsichord, a solo viola work, and it is capped by the Viola Concerto, which will be recorded next week in Seattle. The Concerto is one of the very best written for the instrument, highly virtuosic and philosophical in tenor. I'm conducting the orchestra and also playing violin, piano and harpsichord on this recording. In the Duo for Viola and Harp the harpist is Douglas Rioth, principal harp of the San Francisco Symphony. Douglas is yet another absolutely great harpist who studied under Alice Chalifoux. http://www.elieshanelson.com/ There are some sound files there too. The producers are the multiple Grammy-nominated Marina and Victor Ledin of Encore Consultants." http://www.encoreconsultantsllc.com/

Eliesha Nelson
African American Violist
Cleveland Orchestra Violist
Marina and Victor Ledin
Viola Works of Quincy Porter
John McLaughlin Williams