“God has wrought many things out of oppression. He has endowed his creatures with the capacity to create—and from this capacity has flowed the sweet songs of sorrow and joy that have allowed man to cope with his environment and many different situations.”
—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
We take this day for reflection to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
We hope, today and every day, to lift up the contributions, musical and otherwise, of Black Americans and Black musicians across history. We invite you to explore the resources below in this letter that our viola instructor Michael D. Hill wrote to his students, inviting us to explore the work of some incredible Black musicians.
Dear students and families,
The Louisville Academy of Music is closed on Monday, January 18, 2021 in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. I hope that you will take some time to reflect on the words and work of Dr. King and consider their continued importance.
Through music, we have a great opportunity to learn, to grow, and to create art that benefits and educates those around us. It is important that we learn more about the music of Black composers and performers who contributed to our musical history and support and share the music of Black composers and performers today as well, incorporating them into the canon of our repertoire.
I want to share with you just a few biographies and performances, and hope that you will take the time to explore and learn on your own as well. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but I hope it will help you begin to explore new composers and music on your own. Personally, I hope to educate violinists and violists by incorporating diverse repertoire in education and performances.
JOSEPH BOLOGNE DE SAINT-GEORGES, conductor, violinist, and composer
“Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, was widely regarded as the most accomplished man of his age. Not only was he among the most important musicians in Paris during the pre-revolutionary period but he was also a supurb all-around athlete and man of arms … The combination of artist, athlete and man of action - for he also held military commands during the revolutionary period - is unique in the history of music and the man himself scarcely less extraordinary than the phenomenal range of his talents.” Unfortunately more than two thirds of his works are lost. Though appointed by the king of France to conduct the court orchestra, the musicians refused him in this position due to his race. His accomplishments and popularity as a composer and violinist, however, were always in favor in the court.
Symphony Op. 11, No. 1 in D Major, Allegro
String Quartet No. 3, Chineke!
String Quartet No. 5, 45th Parallel
Chineke! Foundation and the founder, Chi-Chi Nwanoku (I always knew her from her incredible work with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment! She truly does it all!)
FLORENCE PRICE, composer
“Florence Price, the first noted African American female composer to gain national status. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1887, Price, won first prize in the Wanamaker Competition with her Symphony in E minor and as a result, became the first female composer of African descent to have a symphonic work performed by a major national symphony orchestra. Little of her piano music has been recorded though recently, approximately five hours of music for solo piano and piano duets were discovered in a home that she once owned and had been subsequently abandoned after having been lost for over thirty years in her home.”
In this collection, string quartets were also found. Several years ago local artists performed some her chamber music at the Muhammad Ali Center. She wrote beautiful viola lines which really makes me wish she wrote solo music for the viola!
String Quartet No. 2, Andante cantabile, Castle of Our Skins Concert Series
I absolutely love Price’s romantic style! Many of her works sound like dramatic film scores.
Violin Concerto No. 2, Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra with Kelly Hall-Thompkins, violin
Castle of Our Skins Concert Series
Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra
Kelly Hall-Thomkins
NOKUTHULA NGWENYAMA, violist and composer
https://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2018/06/20/my-name-is-nokuthula-ngwenyama
“Nokuthula Ngwenyama is an artistic force. She is a composer, producer, director, poet and singer. As an instrumentalist, she plays both violin and viola. Ms. Ngwenyama's professional career began after she won the Primrose International Viola Competition when she was 16. Since that time, her performances as an orchestral soloist, recitalist and chamber musician have gained international attention. Ngwenyama has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestra, amongst others. Most recently, Ms. Ngwenyama curated Composer's Choice, the new music series presented by ASU/Kerr Cultural Center and Phoenix Chamber Music Society.”
Nokulthua Ngwenyama: in the middle of things - Her views as a composer, a performer, and the future of Classical music
Hindemith Sonata for Solo Viola Op. 25, No. 1, IV (one of my favorite sonatas!)
SPHINX VIRUOSI
“The Sphinx Virtuosi is one of the nation’s most dynamic professional chamber orchestras, comprised of 18 top Black and Latinx classical soloists.
Through the Sphinx Virtuosi National Tour, this self-conducted ensemble brings fresh, diverse programming to leading venues around the country and engages in immersive outreach to bring classical music to communities nationwide, including students of all ages. Including annual stops at Carnegie Hall and Miami’s New World Center, the Sphinx Virtuosi performs to sold-out crowds and continues to garner critical acclaim.”
SPHINX transforms the arts through artist development, education, and so much more. I encourage you to learn more about this fantastic organization! You will find Sphinx artists engaged in careers as soloists, orchestral and chamber musicians, and educators. Check out:
Harlem String Quartet & Catalyst Quartet
Music has the power to express all emotions. More importantly, the arts can be an important voice in our world. Sphinx Virtuosi perform Elegy: Stephen Lawrence by Philip Herbert
More about PHILIP HERBERT, composer
SHAWN OKPEBHOLO, composer
I actually really enjoyed my undergraduate class in Orchestration under Shawn while at CCM. While my arrangement of Twinkle Twinkle was probably not very memorable for him, I learned a lot about considering color and tone in additional to instrumental ranges and technical demands which should be considered when writing for various instruments.
Two Black Churches, Shawn Okpeboholo
Kutimbua Kivumbi, Shawn Okpebholo
What contributions are Black artists making today? A lot! Tia Allen is a dear friend and (though I’m sure she’s tired of me saying this) a huge inspiration and role model. I’ve looked up to her since we were in school together and I am incredibly flattered she considers me a friend as well!
D-Composed is a fantastic chamber music ensemble based in Chicago performing and celebrating Black performing artists and composers.
I hope this provides some beautiful music to listen to, some important musical figures in Black history to consider, and to learn more, now and long into the future. Music unites us and provides a voice we can all understand. Ms. Ngwenyama perhaps put it best: “…music is human. It is universal.”
Michael D. Hill, viola.