'You can't imagine how grateful and gleeful I felt stumbling on your page dedicated to Ludovic Lamothe.'

[Ludovic Lamothe; Fleurs d`Haiti, 10 Selections de Piano par Ludovic Lamothe Compositeur; Disques Victor]

Ludovic Lamothe (1882-1953) is a composer and pianist who is a leading figure in the history of Haitian Classical Music. His skill as a performer led to the nickname "A Black Chopin." The pianist Charles P. Phillips has recorded an entire CD of Lamothe's works for piano, A Vision of Ludovic Lamothe, which is available at http://CDBaby.com/cd/cpphillips This is an excerpt from an email received this week on the Ludovic Lamothe page at AfriClassical.com:

“I'm a student of redaction at U of Montreal, but really of composition at its music faculty. I decided to change majors for a while to later finish my music bachelor's degree in 'techniques d'écriture' (same curriculum as the composition program, but I chose not to have creative classes; only theory, counterpoint, harmony, etc).

“I'd heard Lamothe's music performed by others all my life, but never by the man himself; thanks for the Megaupload link!! Though my music studies are on ice, I'm still writing and recording. One of the songs I rearranged for an upcoming studio session is a Lamothe. I wanted to read a bit on his life and oeuvre, and thus fell upon your website.”

Prof. Jean Montès Helps Revive Music of Ludovic Lamothe, Haitian Composer Born May 12, 1882

[TOP: Prof. Jean Montès, Loyola University, New Orleans; BOTTOM: Fleurs d`Haiti, 10 Selections de Piano par Ludovic Lamothe Compositeur; Disques Victor]

As the birthday of Ludovic Lamothe on May 12, 1882 is observed, it is clear that his works for piano are being studied and performed by dedicated scholars and performers in a manner not seen in recent years, if ever. Ludovic Lamothe is profiled at AfriClassical.com. Voxitatis Blog posted an article by Paul Katula, “Honor Concert Preview: Looking at Haiti With Majesty, Joy, and Love.” It gave details of a student performance of a rarely-heard work, Danse Capoise by Ludovic Lamothe, under the direction of Prof. Jean Montès of Loyola University in New Orleans. He is known for bringing the Haitian Classical Music repertoire to life through his teaching and conducting at Loyola University, and he did the same at the IMEA All-State Conference:

“PEORIA (Jan. 29, 2010) — The levels of excitement and anticipation are high here at the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference.” “Among the works to be performed by the All-State Honors Orchestra at a 3 p.m. concert Saturday is the Danse Capoise by Ludovic Lamothe, orchestrated by John Jost.”

Joshua Russell performed music of Ludovic Lamothe at the Liszt-Garrison Festival in Baltimore on Oct. 17, 2009. Prof. Janet Anthony of Lawrence University Conservatory tells AfriClassical: “Joshua Russell, a newly minted DMA and professor of piano at Bradley University did his dissertation on the piano music of Ludovic Lamothe. His colleague, and former teacher, John Jost is a long time Haiti hand and knows an enormous amount about Haitian classical music.”

Christopher Hyde is Classical Music Critic at The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram and has written about AfriClassical.com on various occasions. On Jan. 24, 2010 he wrote: "For a small nation, which gained its independence from France in 1804 after a long and bloody slave revolt, Haiti has produced more than its share of classical composers." "Lamothe, the best known of the Haitian composers, incorporated both Vodou religious music and meringue in his work, hoping that the African ancestry of both would fuse into a national musical style. He was hindered in this effort by the disdain of the Haitian upper classes for 'peasant' music and religion, although he was able to combine the two under the flag of nationalism, as in 'Nibo, Meringue de Carnaval,' of 1934, which was widely played to celebrate the end of American occupation.

"Lamothe's works have been recorded in 'A Vision of Ludovic Lamothe' (IFA Music Records, 2001) by pianist Charles P. Phillips. An overview is provided by guitarist Jean E. Saint-Eloi in 'Music of the Haitian Masters' (IFA Music Records 256, 1999).”

Music of Occide Jeanty, Ludovic Lamothe & Julio Racine on Haitian Program at Lawrence U. Feb. 6

[Julio Racine]

AfriClassical has heard from Janet Anthony, Professor of Music, Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, Appleton, Wisconsin. She tells us that Haitian music will be presented at the school Feb. 6, 2010.

Program:

Tangente au Yanvalou by Julio Racine (b. 1945) will be performed by Deborah Etienne, flute & Steven Huang, piano.

Claire de Lune by Sabrina Jean Louis (b. 1994) & Choucoune by Michel Mauleart Monton & Arranged by Hector Lominy, will be performed by Janet Anthony, Carolyn Armstrong, Lindsay Schwartz & Anna Henke, cellos.

Twa wond ayisyen (Traditional Haitian Songs) Nou somm’ twa peti jandamm’ Arranged by John Jost, Solda wa Milo & Twa fwa pasé la will be performed by Singers from the Milwaukee Choral Artists under Sharon Hynsen, Director.

Dominus Vobiscum by Sidney Guillaume (b. 1982) will be performed by Shazore Shah, soloist & Friends of Haiti Chamber Choir, led by Tercy Hethkenly, director.

Documentary Film Footage, Bel Son Productions

Friends of Haiti Chamber Orchestra

Marassa é Iou by Werner Jaegerhuber (1900-1953) & Sous la Tonnelle by Ludovic Lamothe (1882-1953), directed by Janet Anthony, conductor.

Danse Capoise by Ludovic Lamothe, led by Keith Johnston, conductor.

Retraite aux Flambeau by Ludovic Lamothe, under direction of Steven Huang, conductor.

Trois Contes Haitiennes by Férére Laguerre (1935-1983); Siwo Grenadine, Ti Zwazo & Conte Haitienne will be performed along with La Delaisse et ses Soupirs by Occide Jeanty (1860-1936), under the direction of John Jost, conductor.
[Occide Jeanty, Ludovic Lamothe & Julio Racine are profiled at AfriClassical.com]

Portland Press Hearald: 'For a small nation, Haiti heavy on classical composers'

[Occide Jeanty and the score from "1804", Marche Militaire, on a 1960 Haitian stamp.]

An interview with Christopher Hyde five years ago resulted in a column about AfriClassical.com on Jan. 23, 2005. We appreciate Christopher's use of the website to illustrate the classical music heritage of Haiti in his column today. The titles of two recordings he mentions are linked to the websites at which they are available.
Portland Press Herald - Maine Sunday Telegram
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com
CLASSICAL BEAT
For a small nation, Haiti heavy on classical composers
Christopher Hyde
January 24, 2010
"For a small nation, which gained its independence from France in 1804 after a long and bloody slave revolt, Haiti has produced more than its share of classical composers. One estimate in "Vodou Nation: Haitian Art Music and Cultural Nationalism" (Michael Largey, University of Chicago Press, 2006) is as high as 60." "The most prominent of Haitian composers – Solon Verret, Justin Elie, Occide Jeanty and Ludovic Lamothe – wrote primarily instrumental music, usually for the piano, and marches and other works for public occasions. The most famous of the latter is Jeanty's '1804' commemorating Haiti's independence. He was prohibited from conducting it during the U.S. occupation of Haiti from 1915 to 1934."

"Lamothe, the best known of the Haitian composers, incorporated both Vodou religious music and meringue in his work, hoping that the African ancestry of both would fuse into a national musical style. He was hindered in this effort by the disdain of the Haitian upper classes for 'peasant' music and religion, although he was able to combine the two under the flag of nationalism, as in 'Nibo, Meringue de Carnaval,' of 1934, which was widely played to celebrate the end of American occupation.

"Lamothe's works have been recorded in 'A Vision of Ludovic Lamothe' (IFA Music Records, 2001) by pianist Charles P. Phillips. An overview is provided by guitarist Jean E. Saint-Eloi in 'Music of the Haitian Masters' (IFA Music Records 256, 1999). Elie was the most widely traveled and published of the Haitian pianist-composers and eventually made his home in the United States. His nationalism took the form of support for the Native American cause, something that Haiti had offered since its inception. A sidelight to Elie's successful career was his writing of music to accompany the 1925 silent film 'Phantom of the Opera.' I wonder if Andrew Lloyd Webber ever heard it. I am indebted for most of the information in this column to William J. Zick's formidable Web site, AfriClassical.com..."

Highlights from 'King Celebration' Concert on Public Radio's 'Performance Today'

[Fleurs d`Haiti, 10 Selections de Piano par Ludovic Lamothe Compositeur; Disques Victor]

See a list of Public Radio stations which will broadcast “King Celebration 2010” on “Performance Today” at:
http://performancetoday.publicradio.org/stations/list.php

American Public Media
PerformanceToday.PublicRadio.org
January 18, 2010
“King Celebration 2010
On this Martin Luther King Day, our entire show is devoted to a celebration of the life of Dr. King. Music was an important force in the civil rights movement, and important in the personal life of Dr. King as well. Thursday night in Atlanta, the Atlanta Symphony and the singers of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges in Atlanta presented a King celebration concert. We'll hear highlights from that concert in both hours today.”

“Today's Playlist
Wynton Marsalis
Excerpts from Symphony No. 2 ("Blues Symphony")
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with conductor Robert Spano
Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, Atlanta
Ludovic Lamothe
Haitian Merengue ("La Dangereuse")
Pianist William Chapman Nyaho
Richard Strauss
"Morning"
Contralto Marian Anderson and pianist Franz Rupp
Ludwig van Beethoven
Leonore Overture No. 3
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with conductor Robert Spano
Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, Atlanta
David Conte
"The Homecoming: In Memoriam Martin Luther King, Jr."
Chanticleer
Spivey Hall, Morrow, Georgia
Traditional (Arranged by Peter Wilhousky)
"The Battle Hymn of the Republic"
The Chicago Sinfonietta, the Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir, and the Chicago Children's Choir with conductor Paul Freeman
Symphony Center, Chicago
Donald Sur
Excerpts from "Slavery Documents"
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the combined choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges with conductor Robert Spano
Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, Atlanta
Traditional
"We Shall Overcome"
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the combined choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges with conductor Robert Spano
Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, Atlanta”
[Haitian Composer Ludovic Lamothe (1882-1953) is profiled at AfriClassical.com]

Garth Fagan Dance Brings Music of William Chapman Nyaho to Rochester, New York

[Dr. William Chapman Nyaho, Pianist, Professor and Music Editor]

On Nov. 3, 2008 AfriClassical posted “William Chapman Nyaho Plays Lamothe, Ndodana, Perkinson & Price in Garth Fagan Dance”. RochesterCityNewspaper.com published this preview on Dec. 3, 2008 of the Rochester performances from Dec. 4-7: “PREVIEW: Garth Fagan Dance, Call Waiting, By Casey Carlsen” “Audiences will gain a glimpse into the personal world of Garth Fagan - Tony Award winner, modern dance icon, and Rochesterian - with the local premiere of his revealing new work, 'Phone Tag, Thanks & Other Things,' this weekend. The dramatic action and emotional content of the piece evolves from actual messages left for Fagan on his cell phone and replayed on stage. Jazz great Wynton Marsalis tries to reach his friend, and the exasperation in his voice strikes a humorous chord. It's a sharp contrast to the poignancy of hearing Fagan's adult son contacting him from abroad after months of silence, identifying himself as Fagan's 'prodigal son.' 'Thank you for all the time you took in making me a man,' the son's message says.”

"'Phone Tag, Thanks & Things' first premiered at the Joyce Theater in New York City in November. Besides Depass, the piece features Annique Roberts, Guy Thorne, Lynet' Rochelle, Khama Phillips, and Norwood Pennewell. The music is composed by Bongani Ndodana (South Africa), Florence Price (USA), Ludovic Lamothe (Haiti), and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson (USA), and recorded on piano by William Chapman Nyaho.” [William Chapman Nyaho, Florence B. Price, Ludovic Lamothe and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson are profiled at AfriClassical.com]

Justin Elie, Haitian Composer, Born Sept. 1, 1883

According to a column by W.E.B. Du Bois in the January, 1916 issue of Crisis, the magazine of the N. A. A. C. P., the Haitian composer Justin Elie was born at Port-au-Prince on September 1, 1883. The column, as reproduced in Africana Encyclopedia, went on to say:

"At the age of five years he showed a passion for music. His parents took him to France and put him in the celebrated institution of Sainte Croix. He was prepared for the Conservatory of Paris by the great pianist, Marmontel, and passed a brilliant entrance examination in 1903.
…
He graduated in 1905 and has since been in concert work in Paris and in the West Indies. He has written several compositions, notable among them is Aphrodite. Monsieur Elie is expected in the United States soon."

Three short pieces by Justin Elie were recorded by Jean E. Saint-Eloi on a MIDI-guitar on IFA Music Records 256 (1999): Chant De La Montagne #1, Isma-o! (1:55); Chant De La Montagne #2, Nostalgie (2:17); and Legende Creole (4:10). The CD may be ordered, and an audio sample of Chant De La Montagne #1, Isma-o! may be heard, at: http://cdbaby.com/cd/sainteloi

The liner notes are by the guitarist, Jean E. Saint-Eloi, and begin with an overview of Haitian classical music. Other Haitian composers represented on the CD are Occide Jeanty (1860-1936), Solon Verret and Ludovic Lamothe (1882-1953). Each is profiled at AfriClassical.com Saint-Eloi estimates that Haiti has produced about 60 classical composers.