According to Thomas Jefferson in 1781: “The instrument proper to them (i.e. the slaves) is the Banjar, which they brought hither from Africa.” The 1984 television film Solomon Northup’s Odyssey and the 2013 feature film 12 Years a Slave are based on the memoir of violinist Solomon Northrup. Living & working violist Nokuthula Ngwenyama…
“LOS ANGELES (April 22, 2020) – The Los Angeles Philharmonic and Classical KUSC continue their annual radio broadcast partnership, reaching listeners across Southern and Central California. Concerts recorded during the LA Phil’s 2019/20 season feature the orchestra with an impressive roster of guest artists and conductors, and an eclectic repertoire including the world premiere of Esteban…
My earliest recollection (about 1948) of attending music events as a child in Beaumont, Texas was zydeco dances presented at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church. The Zydeco bands included violin players and I had several great uncles who played the violin. In 2019, I attended the Hollywood Bowl to see violinist Ray Chen and…
Composer Hale Smith completed RITUAL and INCANTATIONS in 1974. It is a piece which evokes an atmosphere of mystery and, perhaps, of impending evil.
POLITICS of MUSIC Ed Bland was a composer and dear friend. We had extended conversations about categories of music. Growing up in Chicago, his first heroes were jazz artists such as Duke Ellington and Art Tatum. Ed Bland happened to hear a recording of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring and sought to compose in newer and…
POLITICS of MUSIC American composer Roy Harris was deeply inspired by poetry of Walt Whitman. I recall Roy Harris verbatim recitation of poems from Leaves of Grass during multiple visits to his home. I HEAR AMERICA SINGING! Choral Music of Roy Harris by The Robert Wesleyan College Chorale, Robert Shewan (conductor) include Roy Harris choral music…
POLITICS of MUSIC-As previously reported, American composer Roy Harris 5th Symphony was boycotted due to communist scare of McCarthyism. Roy Harris Bicentennial Symphony (14th Symphony) has been boycotted for unspoken reasons. Please see https://africlassical.blogspot.com/2017/07/john-malveaux-year-2009-marked-200th.html. Please visit https://musicuntold.com/index.php/bicentennial-symphony-video-set/ for event flyer, Press Telegram interview, and event photos. Please see pic 1 An Act of Justice and pic 2 composer…
This is to share information from the Elie Siegmeister Centennial files by conductor Leonard J. Lehrman. Composer Elie Siegmeister I HAVE A DREAM was originally commissioned by Cantor Solomon Mendelson at Temple Beth Sholom in Long Beach, Long Island. In the text adaptation by Edward Mabley, authorized by Dr. King, the scope of the speech…
On June 7, 1979 President Jimmy Carter decreed that June would be BLACK MUSIC MONTH. However, the official presidential order announcing Black Music Month during the month of June wasn’t signed off on until 2000 when the House of Representatives approved House Resolution 509. President Barack Obama officially changed the name to African-American Music…
Please see Africlassical blog of 7-28-2014 https://africlassical.blogspot.com/2014/07/john-malveaux-recounts-plans-for-roy.html My last direct contact with the Harris family was a 4 party dinner as guest of Shawn Harris. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaun_Harris