WelcomeToHarlem.com: R. Nathaniel Dett 'was one of the most successful black composers, known for his use of folk songs'

[R. Nathaniel Dett (Library of Congress)]

Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma has compiled a complete Works List for R. Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943). It is featured on the composer's page at AfriClassical.com along with 10 audio samples and a biography researched by Prof. DeLerma. WelcomeToHarlem.com also presents a page on R. Nathaniel Dett, with a biography based on Wikipedia:

WelcomeToHarlem.com

“Robert Nathaniel Dett

Robert Nathaniel Dett (October 11, 1882 – October 2, 1943), often known as R. Nathaniel Dett, was a composer in the United States and Canada. During his lifetime he was one of the most successful black composers, known for his use of folk songs and spirituals for choral and piano compositions in the romantic style.

“He was among the first African American composers during the early years of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. His works often appeared among the programs of William Marion Cook's New York syncopated Orchestra. Dett himself performed at Carnegie Hall and at the Boston Symphony Hall as a pianist and choir director.”

Alabama S. O. Wins ASCAP award for programming; M. L. King Work of Adolphus Hailstork Debuts in 2010-2011 Season

[Prof. Adolphus Hailstork]

Alabama Symphony receives top ASCAP award for adventurous programming

Published: Friday, June 18, 2010

Michael Huebner – The Birmingham News

“ASO and Music Director Justin Brown will be recognized today in Atlanta at the League of American Orchestras' 65th Annual Conference. The Birmingham-based orchestra joins the New York Philharmonic (Group 1) and Albany Symphony (Groups 3-4), among others, in receiving the first-place awards. Second and third place awards in the Group 2 division went to the Pacific Symphony and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.”

“During 2009-10, ASO commissioned new music from its first composer-in-residence, Paul Lansky, showcased the music of George Crumb and strengthened its cutting-edge Symphony 7 series. Plans for 2010-11 include premieres of commissioned works by Adolphus Hailstork and its next composer-in-residence, Avner Dorman.”

The Scene Blog of The Birmingham News announced the commission in December 2008:

“Adolphus Hailstork to compose new work for Alabama Symphony to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Posted by Michael Huebner December 17, 2008 6:00 AM

New symphonic music by a prominent composer will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a joint project by three Birmingham cultural organizations.

“Adolphus Hailstork plans to visit Birmingham in January to discuss the musical and narrative possibilities for the music he will compose that will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Adolphus Hailstork, whose music has been performed by the Chicago and Baltimore Symphonies and New York Philharmonic, will compose music for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra's 'Reflect and Rejoice' concert, a musical tribute to King sponsored each January by ASO, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Alys Stephens Center. The premiere will take place at the 2011 event. The three organizations are co-sponsoring the commission, which they hope will become an annual project.

"'We're hoping to get sponsors and donors excited about the concept so we have an annual source of funding to create a new work,' said Curt Long, ASO's executive director. 'There's a story to tell about what happened in Birmingham during the civil rights era, and symphonic music can do a very good job of telling it.'" [Adolphus Hailstork (b. 1941) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where the composer describes his career in his own words.]