Show notes
This week’s program celebrates Black History Month with selections by seven different composers of African descent, ranging from the 18th century to the present day (full playlist below). CHEVALIER DE SAINT-GEORGES (1745-1799)Violin Concerto in A Major, Op. 5, No. 2 (1775)III. Rondeau (4:35)From Violin Concertos by Black Composers of the 18th and 19th CenturiesCedille Records CDR 90000 035 (Track 6)Rachel Barton Pine, violinEncore Chamber OrchestraDaniel Hege, conductorWILLIAM GRANT STILL (1895-1978)Symphony No. 1, “Afro-American” (1930)I. Moderato assai (6:10)From African Heritage Symphonic Series, Vol. ICedille Records CDR 90000 055 (Track 9)Chicago SinfoniettaPaul Freeman, conductorGEORGE WALKER (b. 1922)Lyric for Strings (1941) (5:17)From African Heritage Symphonic Series, Vol. IICedille Records CDR 90000 061 (Track 2)Chicago SinfoniettaPaul Freeman, conductorDAVID BAKER (b. 1931)Cello Concerto (1975)III. Fast (6:09)From African Heritage Symphonic Series, Vol. IIICedille Records CDR 90000 066 (Track 4)Katinka Kleijn, celloChicago SinfoniettaPaul Freeman, conductorCOLERIDGE-TAYLOR PERKINSON (1932-2004)Blue/s Forms for Solo Violin (1972) (5:14)II. Just Blue’s: Very freeIII. Jettin’ Blue’s: FastFrom Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson: A CelebrationCedille Records CDR 90000 087 (Tracks 8-10)Sanford Allen, violinMICHAEL ABELS (b. 1962)Delights & Dances for String Quartet and String Orchestra (2007) (13:03)From Delights & DancesCedille Records CDR 9000 141 (Track 1)Harlem QuartetChicago SinfoniettaMei-Ann Chen, conductorSAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR (1875-1912)Deep River, Op. 59, No. 10 (1904) (4:46)From American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud PowellCedille Records CDR 90000 097 (Track 9)Rachel Barton Pine, violinMatthew Hagle, piano