A SPECIAL PREVIEW PERFORMANCE from our music series, MUSIC AT ETHICAL ~ CONCERTS ON THE SQUARE. Evocative and thematic concerts reflect human motivations that find expression through the sharing of meaningful works by fine composers.
HARMONY ACROSS BARRIERS explores Black origins in American classical music.
This stirring performance brings together powerful works by the remarkable English Black musician Samuel Coleridge-Taylor ("the African Mahler") and an American master, William Grant Still (a Black musician whose music crossed many boundaries).
Additional pivotal work by George Gershwin, and biting humor found in settings by Betty Roe of Langston Hughes poems, drawing on related elements that this concert celebrates.
MUSICAL WORKS:
- WILLIAM GRANT STILL - Songs of Separation for voice and piano; Three Visions for piano solo; Lyric Quartet for string quartet
- SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR - Selections from Twenty-Four Negro Melodies, op.59, for violin, cello and piano and voice: Deep River, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child... and Fantasy pieces for string quartet, op.5
- BETTY ROE - Madam's Three Callers, for soprano and cello (set to poems of Langston Hughes)
- GEORGE GERSHWIN - Suite from Porgy and Bess for violin and piano
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PERFORMED BY:
- MEGUMU KAJINO, violin - GEOFFREY BAKER, viola
- JONATHAN MOSER, violin - LUCY STROTHERS, cello
- ROLLIN WILBER, piano - BRENDA BONHOMME, soprano
Exploring what inspired composers that still inspires us, the productions are designed to set the tone for deep and rewarding listening experiences. Directly after each concert, a short discussion about the performed works is held, followed by a reception.