Customer Reviews

Symphonic Brotherhood: The Music of African-American Composers

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A little over four years ago I had the privilage of hearing the Grand Rapids Symphony (Grand Rapids, Michigan USA) do a performance of Adolphus Hailstork's Symphony #1. We were very pleased and moved by what we heard. The Lenta ma no troppo especially was compelling, and in my mind is on a par with some of the most beautiful movements of 20th century composition such as found in Barber and Vaughn-Williams.

It was in looking for a recording of Hailstork's Symphony #1, that I bought "Symphonic Brotherhood", and for myself, to have a recording of "Symphony #1" was reason alone to buy this CD.

But this CD is more then just Hailstork. Other highlights include Julius P. Williams Meditation from Easter Celebration which is a bright and well done composition enjoyable to hear.

Then Gary Powell Nash's In Memorium: Sojourner Truth, and David Baker's Kosbro contrasts Williams and Hailstork with darker more dissonent nuances of sound in a haunting way not to be over looked.

There are two other tracks of vocal composition that, though competently done, I personally did not find as enjoyable or compelling as the more symphonic compositions.

The Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic under the direction of Julius Williams does a competent and adequate job in bringing these compositions to the ear.

In the notes with this CD is a quote from American composer Arthur Cunningham who said, "Call me what you will; call my music music." What is on this CD is just that, music and very good music too. Well done Gentlemen!

This CD emphasizes the mainstream character of the compositions; as it says in the program notes, "The fact that these five composers...are of African descent will become clear only when viewing the photographs." And yet, some of the compositions incorporate very slight elements of jazz, gospel and spirituals. Interestingly, Burleigh's "Young Warrier" gained great popularity in Italy during WWI as a "patriot anthem."

I picked this CD up several years ago and have never grown tired of it. The composer pulls together a beautiful orchestration. I particularly like cut 7, but found all of the music inspiring and charged with an electricity. For lovers of the symphony this is a must have item.