'Ellington & The Modern Masters' (1999) Still Available from Detroit Symphony Orchestra

[Ellington & The Modern Masters; Detroit Symphony Orchestra; Neeme Järvi and Leslie B. Dunner, conductors; Ursula Oppens, piano; DSO-1003 (1999)]

Ellington & The Modern Masters was issued in 1999, “Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the DSO UNISYS African-American Composers Residency”. We contacted the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and asked if the CD was still available. The Retail Sales Manager, Paul Yee, replied in an email: “The CD retails for $12.99 and we have plenty on hand. If you like, I can take your order over the phone and mail a copy to you. We accept all major credit cards for payment.” Mr. Yee's email address is pyee@dso.org and his phone number is 313-576-5115.

Olly Wilson (b. 1937) was Unisys Composer-in-Residence for 1997-98. His work on the CD is Shango Memory (8:33). Michael Fleming says in the liner notes, “The composer provided the following note for the world premiere of Shango Memory, performed on February 5, 1995, by the New York Philharmonic conducted by Neeme Järvi: 'Shango Memory is inspired by the Yoruban deity Shango, the god of thunder and lightning...'” Anthony Davis (b. 1951) was Unisys Composer-in-Residence for 1995-96 and composed Notes From the Underground (9:11). He says in the liner notes that the work was commissioned by the American Composer's Orchestra and Francis Goelet, and was composed in 1988. Davis elaborates: “The work premiered in April of that year at Carnegie Hall, and is dedicated to Ralph Ellison (1913-94), the author of the landmark novel Invisible Man.”

Jonathan Holland (b. 1974) was Unisys Protégé Composer for 1995-96. Michael Fleming writes that Fanfares & Flourishes on An Ostinato (3:44) was commissioned by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Neeme Järvi in cooperation with the 1995 Unisys African-American Composers Residency. He adds that Martha's Waltz (5:20) was inspired by the two couples dancing at the start of Act II of the play Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, by Edward Albee.

Alvin Singleton (b. 1940), Unisys Composer-in-Residence for 1996-97, wrote BluesKonzert (14:37). In the liner notes, Michael Fleming says: “Alvin Singleton's BluesKonzert was a triple commission by the Detroit, Houston and Kansas City symphony orchestras, made possible by a grant from the Meet the Composer/Reader's Digest Commissioning Program, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund.” The piano soloist is Ursula Oppens, while the conductor is Leslie B. Dunner, of whom the liner notes say: “Between 1988 and 1998, Dr. Leslie B. Dunner held the posts of assistant, associate and resident conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.” Michael Fleming and Tiffany Dziurman Stozicki provide an overview of the many compositions of Duke Ellington (1899-1974), whose work on the recording is Three Black Kings (17:55). Its movements are: I. King of Magi, II. King Solomon, and III. Martin Luther King.

Celso Machado Performs at Brazilian Guitar Marathon in Toronto June 13

[Celso Machado]

Celso Machado (b. 1953) is an Afro-Brazilian guitarist and composer who is one of 52 artists profiled at AfriClassical.com. His own website is: http://www.CelsoMachado.com. On Saturday, June 13 he will perform at the Brazilian Guitar Marathon at 1:40 p.m. in a Toronto park.

The Riverdale Voice

Riverdale Co-operative Houses Newsletter
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Luminato
“Brazilian Guitar Marathon – Saturday, June 13 – Free
Lose yourself in Latin America -right here in Toronto - as the Duo Assad, Yamandú Costa, Luciana Souza featuring Romero Lubambo and other guitar masters take you on a day-long tour of their country's hottest sounds. From bossa nova and choro to the works of such classical composers as Heitor Villa-Lobos and Egberto Gismonti, the guitar has a rich and diverse history in Brazil. Our free outdoor fiesta features: Grammy Award winners Sérgio and Odair Assad, often hailed as the best classic guitar duo in the world; virtuoso Celso Machado, whose irresistible rhythms and inspired onstage lunacy enrapture adults and kids alike; a host of other stellar performers, including Badi Assad (sister of Sérgio and Odair) and Luciana Souza: Brazilian Duos, featuring Romero Lubambo and seven-string sensation Yamandú Costa making his Toronto debut. Location: Village of Yorkville Park (Bellair & Cumberland) - the music goes on all day!”

'Music For Cello And Piano by African-American Composers'

[Music For Cello And Piano by African-American Composers; Anthony Elliott, cello; Toni-Marie Montgomery, piano (2003)]

Cellist Anthony D. Elliott is Professor of Music at the University of Michigan School of Music. AfriClassical posted a biographical profile on November 18, 2007: “Anthony Elliott, African American Cellist and Conductor.” The liner notes for Music For Cello And Piano by African-American Composers read: "Anthony Elliott is in great demand as a soloist, chamber music performer, conductor, and teacher.” Dr. Toni-Marie Montgomery is Dean of the School of Music, and Professor of Piano, at Northwestern University. The liner notes tell us: “In April of 1984, Toni-Marie Montgomery became the second recipient of the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano chamber music and accompanying from the University of Michigan.”

CDBaby.com says of the recording: “A wide variety of music written by black composers, much of it recorded here for the first time.” It opens with: “Spirituals, Five Negro Folk Songs,” arranged by Lawrence Brown. The liner notes give this information on Lawrence Brown (1893-1972): “Pianist Lawrence Brown was perhaps best known in his capacity as accompanist to legendary performers Roland Hayes and Paul Robeson.” The spirituals are: “Nobody knows de trouble I've seen”, “Ev'ry time I feel de spirit”, “Sometimes I feel like a motherless child”, “I know de Lord's laid his hands on me”, “Swing low, sweet chariot”.

Chad E. Hughes (b. 1977) is a native of Detroit who has studied both composition and conducting. His work on the CD is “1st Suite for Solo Violoncello”, consisting of “Minuet”, “Courante”, “Gigue”. It is followed by “Three Ways (for Cello and Piano)” by Augustus O. Hill, a composer and conductor who earned a Ph.D. in composition and music theory at the University of Michigan, according to VanguardVoices.org. Next is the “Lento” movement of “Dirge” from “Suite for Violoncello and Piano” by Howard Swanson (1907-1978). The liner notes say of Noel Da Costa, “Noel Da Costa was born in Lagos, Nigeria, lived in Kingston, Jamaica and in the West Indies.” “Five Verses With Vamps” is dedicated to Evalyn Steinbock, who premiered the work with pianist David Garvey in 1970.” The program concludes with “Sonata for Cello and Piano” by David Baker, whose website reads: “Hello and welcome to the Official Website of Dr. David N. Baker, world-renowned composer, multi-instrumentalist, educator, writer, clinician, pedagogue, and Chair of the Jazz Studies Department at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music.” The three movements are marked “Fast”, “Slow”, “Fast”. The CD is one of seven listed at Anthony Elliott's personal website.

San Francisco Chronicle: 'Piano prodigy from Ghana soaring in S.F.'

[Kofi Vordzorgbe; Photo: Lacy Atkins/The Chronicle]

AfriClassical learned of this story from the pianist and music editor Dr. William Chapman Nyaho (b. 1958), who was born in the U.S. but was raised in Ghana, the native country of his parents. He is profiled at AfriClassical.com.

SFGate.com
Home of The San Francisco Chronicle
Piano prodigy from Ghana soaring in S.F.
Julian Guthrie, Chronicle Staff Writer
Saturday, June 6, 2009
“Thirteen-year-old Kofi Vordzorgbe sat at the piano, poised to play for the celebrities, dignitaries and heads of state who had come to Ghana in March 2007 to celebrate the nation's 50 years of independence from British rule.Kofi, the son of a music teacher in Ghana, was introduced by singer and songwriter Stevie Wonder. As the strong-looking boy with the delicate hands began to play, the crowd went silent. Sitting in the audience was a pastor and former politician from San Francisco, a man who pledged to bring the prodigy from Ghana to the United States.

“Today, Kofi lives with the Rev. Amos Brown and his family in San Francisco. Now 16, he attends a private high school and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Since his arrival, he has composed six sonatas, four symphonies, two string quartets and eight piano pieces. His limited repertoire went from predictable 18th century pieces to complex works, including Beethoven sonatas and Bach fugues and preludes. To Brown, who is head of the local chapter of the NAACP, Kofi represents the largely untapped potential of Africa. 'Africa has been woefully mischaracterized as having no culture, no language, no music and no arts,' said Brown, who runs the Third Baptist Church in the Western Addition. 'But here's this kid out of Africa who has such an excellent ear for music, who has such a mastery of music.'

“With Brown's help and the blessing of Kofi's mother and father, the young man left Ghana in early June 2007.” “Kofi was asked by a teacher who had traveled with him from Ghana to play a piece he had composed on the plane. 'Kofi didn't want to play it,' McCarthy said. 'When I asked him why, he said, “Because it's orchestral.” I thought that was a remarkable answer. He didn't feel he could do justice to what he was imagining on the piano since in his mind it was for orchestra. It showed how vividly clear he hears tonal color. It showed me how authentic his hearing and imagination are.' He was offered a scholarship at the conservatory, and has just completed his second year of classes. 'Our collegiate division just performed a string quartet written by Kofi,' McCarthy said. 'Kofi has grown legions.' Kofi's piano teacher at the conservatory is McCarthy's wife, Annamarie, who says that what is unusual about Kofi is his natural charisma onstage.” “See a short documentary on Kofi Vordzorgbe at sfgate.com. [Full Post]

James P. Johnson & Duke Ellington On 'Romare Bearden Revealed' By Branford Marsalis Quartet

[Romare Bearden Revealed; Branford Marsalis Quartet; Marsalis Music (2003)]

The African American composers James P. Johnson and Duke Ellington are profiled at AfriClassical.com and are represented on a CD dedicated to the African American artist Romare Bearden, who wrote one of the songs himself. Sample audio can be heard at Rounder.com:

Rounder.com
On Romare Bearden Revealed, Branford Marsalis celebrates the life and works of the artist Romare Bearden. The subject of a major upcoming exhibit by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Bearden (1911-1988) took constant inspiration and several titles for his paintings from various jazz masterpieces. In this recording, Branford Marsalis reinterprets several classic compositions that inspired Bearden, as well as Bearden's own "Sea Breeze." Features the Branford Marsalis Quartet plus guests Harry Connick, Jr., Wynton Marsalis, Doug Wamble and the Marsalis Family band. Includes compositions by jazz legends such as Duke Ellington, James P. Johnson and Jelly Roll Morton.

BranfordMarsalis.com
Romare Bearden Revealed
September 9, 2003
Tracks
"I'm Slappin' Seventh Avenue" Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Henry Nemo (ASCAP)
"Jungle Blues" Ferd "Jelly Roll" Morton (ASCAP)
"Seabreeze" Fred Norman, Larry Douglas, Romare Bearden
"J Mood" Wynton Marsalis (ASCAP)
"B's Paris Blues" Branford Marsalis (ASCAP)
"Autumn Lamp" Doug Wamble (ASCAP)
"Steppin' On the Blues" Lovie Austin, Jimmy O'Bryant, Tommy Ladnier
“Laughin' & Talkin' (with Higg)” Jeff "Tain" Watts (BMI)
“Carolina Shout” James P. Johnson (ASCAP)

Chicago Classical Review: William Grant Still's 'Afro-American Symphony' at Grant Park Music Festival

[Africa: Piano Music of William Grant Still; Denver Oldham, piano; Koch 3 7084 2H1 (1991)]

ChicagoClassicalReview.com
Sat Jun 06, 2009
by Wynne Delacoma
“Celebrating its 75th, Grant Park Music Festival to look back and forward this season”
“Music from the 1930s is the focus June 26 and 27 when the orchestra moves indoors to the Harris Theater, just north of the Pritzker Pavilion on Randolph Street. Kalmar conducts a program including William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony, William Schuman’s American Festival Overture, Samuel Barber’s Overture to The School for Scandal and The Prairie, A Poem for Orchestra after Carl Sandburg by Chicago composer Leo Sowerby. Tim Samuelson, cultural historian for the City of Chicago, will be the narrator.” For information on the festival, call 312-742-7638 or log onto http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/. [Full Post]

Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma comments on Still's Afro-American Symphony in Africana Encyclopedia: “A contemporary of Work and Dawson, William Grant Still based his first symphony, the Afro-American Symphony (1930), on the blues and his experience as a jazz arranger. [William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Dr. De Lerma is also found]

Chicago Classical Review
Grant Park Music Festival
William Grant Still
Afro-American Symphony
Carlos Kalmar
Grant Park Orchestra

Press-Telegram: “Almost forgotten 'Bicentennial Symphony' will 're-debut' in Long Beach”

[John Malveaux (below); Roy Harris (above)]

On May 22, 2009 AfriClassical posted a press release from John Malveaux: “MusicUNTOLD Orchestra & Chorale Debut in Long Beach at JUNETEENTH Celebration June 13”. Yesterday the Press-Telegram of Long Beach, California published an extensive article by Greg Mellen. It is accompanied by a 4-minute video by Robert Meeks in which John Malveaux recounts the rescue and revival of the Bicentennial Symphony of American composer Roy Harris (1898-1979):

Press-Telegram
Long Beach, California
“Almost forgotten 'Bicentennial Symphony' will 're-debut' in Long Beach at Juneteenth event
Roy Harris' almost-lost piece rescued by friend and music lover John Malveaux”
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/06/09
“LONG BEACH, Calif. -- This is a story about a man, a composer and a quest to bring a mysteriously absent piece of classical music back into the American canon. It is also a love story about one man's attempt to honor the legacy of a friend and artist whom he greatly admired.” “The music is the 'Bicentennial Symphony,' the 13th and last completed symphony of late renowned composer Roy Harris. The piece was commissioned by Cal State L.A. and debuted by the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., on Abraham Lincoln's birthday in 1976 as part of the country's bicentennial celebration. It is a piece that was intentionally controversial. Through much of it a chorus excoriates the racism of this country before and during Lincoln's time, accentuated by angry shouts from singers.”

“The 'Bicentennial Symphony' will be the centerpiece June 13 of the annual Juneteenth Celebration at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.” “In the 33 years since its debut in Washington, there is no record of the symphony ever being played again by any orchestra.” “Until Malveaux paid to have it meticulously reproduced from the original, archived at Cal. State L.A., there were no copies of the score. To Malveaux, who first met Harris in 1977 and later became a close friend of the composer, it's not only mystifying that the symphony disappeared, it's just plain wrong and inexcusable.

As the founder of MusicUNTOLD, a nonprofit group that seeks to increase the awareness of cultural diversity in classical music and opera and promote under-represented music, Malveaux found in Harris' work a cause close to his heart. In recent years, Malveaux has staged programs with music by African-American composer William Grant Still and Mexican composer Carlos Chavez.” “Granted performance and promotional rights to the Harris' work, Malveaux has spent the past decade trying to find an orchestra, any orchestra, to play the symphony. Malveaux has offered the music to 'every major orchestra and many others.'” “Malveaux calls the 'Bicentennial Symphony' 'the strongest musical statement on U.S. history, slavery and race relations ever made by an American composer.'"
Bicentennial Symphony
American Composer Roy Harris
John Malveaux
MusicUNTOLD Orchestra
Musical Statement
U.S. History & Race

After 40 Years, Ann Hobson Pilot Retires as Principal Harpist of Boston Symphony Orchestra

[Ann Hobson Pilot, photo from The Myrtle Hart Society; Ann Hobson Pilot; Johann Sebastian Bach, Joseph Castaldo, Arcangelo Corelli, Claude Debussy, Gabriel Faure, Claude Debussy, Paul Hindemith; Boston Records 1002 (2001)]

The June issue of the eNewsletter of The Myrtle Hart Society announces the retirement of African American harpist Ann Hobson Pilot, Principal Harpist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, after a career of 40 years.

AnnHobsonPilot.com:
“Boston Symphony Orchestra Music Director James Levine and the orchestra are honored to open Carnegie Hall's 119th season with a gala concert on October 1, 2009. Concert highlights include Evgeny Kissin perfroming Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor and the New York premiere of John Williams' new On Willows and Birches for harp and orchestra, written for the distinctive talents of BSO principal harpist Ann Hobson Pilot, who will retire from the BSO in August, 2009.”“In addition, a special Tribute Luncheon is being planned by the Coalition of Harpists of African Descent (CHAD) to honor Ms. Pilot on Sunday, October 4, 2009 in Boston, MA.”

AnnHobsonPilot.webs.com
“In an e-conversation with Ms. Pilot, Khymn Autumn, founder of CHAD, asked if news of her retirement was true. Ann had this to say, 'It is true that I will be retiring as a member of the BSO after the Tanglewood, 2009 season. I no longer enjoy Boston winters and I wanted to retire while I was still at the “top of my game.” The exciting news is that John Williams has written a harp concerto-type piece to honor my retirement and I will be premiering it with the BSO for the opening of Symphony Hall on September 23, the opening of Carnegie Hall on Oct. 1, and then back in Boston on Oct. 3 to perform the Williams piece, Elliot Carter's Mosaic and the Debussy Danses in a concert specifically designed to honor me. I don't know of any other retiring member who has received such an honor so I am extremely flattered. I have also been invited back to South Africa to perform with 3 orchestras there, probably in November. I plan to play the Williams and maybe the Debussy.'"

Naxos Offers Violin Concertos of Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Franz Berwald & Antonio Vivaldi

[Classics Online Exclusive: The Violin Concerto Collection; Saint-Georges Violin Concertos, Vol. 2; Qian Zhou, Violin; Toronto Camerata; Kevin Mallon, Conductor; Naxos 8.557322 (2004)]

Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799) is profiled at AfriClassical.com.  To our knowledsge, the only budget CDs of his music are the two Naxos recordings of his Violin Concertos. ClassicsOnline.com is presently offering a Naxos MP3 download of three violin concertos, one each by Franz Berwald, Antonio Vivaldi and Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges for 6.99 US.  We are delighted by this recognition for the Concerto No. 10 in G Major (24:07) of Saint-Georges. The work is drawn from Saint-Georges Violin Concertos, Vol. 2; Qian Zhou, Violin; Toronto Camerata; Kevin Mallon, Conductor; Naxos 8.557322 (2004). The download offer is: “ClassicsOnline Exclusive: The Violin Concerto Collection”.

On MusicWeb-International.com, Patrick C. Waller writes, in part, of the CD from which the Saint-Georges Violin Concerto is taken: “For me, No. 10 is the pick of the bunch but they are all most attractive works. The Chinese violinist, Qian Zhou, is no more familiar to me than the composer was but, again, I was impressed.” “She produces beautiful tone and her playing of these concertos is most cultured. There is excellent support from the Toronto Camarata under Kevin Mallon and they are very naturally recorded. Add to this a high standard of presentation and the low cost, and just what are you waiting for? I’m off to check out the first disc in the series (played by different forces) which somehow seems to have passed me by. Naxos have done it again – this label is 'Jack of all kinds of interesting music you’ve never heard before' and master of the irresistible bargain.”

Scott Joplin, Thomas Wiggins & Michael Abels On WETA 90.9 FM In June

[Michael Abels]

Classical WETA 90.9 FM is an NPR affiliate located in Arlington, Virginia and serving Washington. D.C.
WETA.org
“This Month's Focus: American Music
A vast richness of expression is found in American music for the concert and recital halls, and Classical WETA 90.9 FM invites listeners to explore it with us from June through the Independence Day holiday, including Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 9 p.m. when we’ll air works not usually heard on Classical WETA — and on our weekly Sunday night 9 p.m. broadcast Choral Showcase.

“When Antonin Dvorák was in the United States for a few years late in the 19th century (to head up the National Conservatory of Music in New York), he said that what American classical music needed was its own voice — that we shouldn’t simply imitate European music of the time.” “American composers such as Scott Joplin and Thomas Wiggins helped stretch our musical vocabulary during Dvorák’s time — Joplin, for example, with ragtime including his masterpiece, the opera Treemonisha, and Wiggins, with descriptive piano pieces about slavery and the Civil War. They and others blazed the trail for many more to come, including Gershwin, who would integrate jazz into the symphony orchestra, Aaron Copland and Charles Ives who included many American sounds in their music, and Leonard Bernstein, who combined absolutely everything American and made it fit together perfectly.

“From June through July 4, we’ve scheduled works by John Corigliano, John Adams and Michael Abels, plus Joplin and Wiggins and Ives and Copland, Alan Hovhaness, David Diamond, and Roy Harris symphonies, and works for singers (on Classical WETA’s Choral Showcase) by Bernstein, Randall Thompson and William Schuman.” Each day's “Theme Month Selections” are found at the WETA website. [Scott Joplin and Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins are profiled at AfriClassical.com, while Michael Abels has been featured on AfriClassical for Delight and Dances, which was premiered last October]