Hard Trials: The Life and Music of Harry T. Burleigh [Hardcover]

Anne Key Simpson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0810822911 | ISBN-13: 978-0810822917 | Publication Date: December 1, 1990

This is a scholarly study of Harry T. Burleigh (1866-1949), the composer, arranger, singer, and music editor. An Erie, Pennsylvania native, Burleigh graduated from the National Conservatory of Music in New York, where he became friends with Dvorak and was the first Negro to sing in St. George's Episcopal Church and Temple Emanu-El choirs. He was recognized as the first Negro American art song composer and arranger of spirituals for concert use. Biographical chapters, which also depict the larger American musical scene and its singers from 1914 to 1935, are followed by background and analyses of Burleigh's compositions (art songs, instrumental works, arrangements of spirituals), a discography, catalogue of works, extensive bibliography, chapter notes, and detailed index. With many photos and musical examples.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a valuable volume...we are indeed indebted to Simpson for...the excellent index, bibliography, and discography make this book all the more valuable...an excellent resource. (Notes )

...likely to be the most penetrating and useful source for some time...as complete a picture of Burleigh as possible...very readable...Recommended for all libraries. (Choice )

...Simpson's well-researched volume is an invaluable addition to the anals of American music history...pioneering study. (Journal Of Erie Studies )

Anyone who arranged spirituals with the distinction of Harry Thacker Burleigh and occupied such an important place in the musical development of black Americans is worth a thoroughly documented study of the kind that Anne Key Simpson has now provided. (Music And Letters )

...important...Simpson has broken new ground by gathering the most extensive colleciton of Burleigh materials since...1966... (American Music )

...laudable...Her book's most valuable contribution is its extensive catalogue of Burleigh's music. (Isam Newsletter )

...fills a gap, because very little is written about the negro spiritual in standard music history books... (Eir )

About the Author

Anne Key Simpson (BS, piano performance; MA, musicology, Texas Women's University), retired as Staff Accompanist from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, is a freelance writer and accompanist. Her articles have appeared in American Music, The School Musician, Journal of Band Research, Journal of Erie Studies, American Music Teacher, and College Music Symposium.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (December 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810822911
• ISBN-13: 978-0810822917
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,042,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard Trials, November 25, 2009

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Patricia S. Nixon "PSN" (Portsmouth, VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hard Trials: The Life and Music of Harry T. Burleigh (Hardcover)

Great information on Harry T. Burleigh the composer, his life and his music. He was a great composer of Art Songs and he became famous with his arrangements of Negro Spirituals. This is a great book to have in your personal library.