Author Sandra Seaton Comments on Recording of 'From the Diary of Sally Hemings'

[Sandra Seaton]

Professor emerita Sandra Seaton of Central Michigan University comments on our post of Sept. 1, 2009: “White Pine Music Records 'From the Diary of Sally Hemings,' by Sandra Seaton & William Bolcom”:

“Greetings Bill,
Here's my post on your website:
Great to see your interview with Scott Burgess. Bill Bolcom and I are eagerly awaiting the debut recording of 'From The Diary of Sally Hemings' with soprano Alyson Cambridge and pianist Lydia Brown. Bill and I had a very productive week recording up in Mt. Pleasant with Alyson and Lydia, two wonderfully talented artists. Kudos and thanks to our gracious host, White Pine's Audio Production Manager Scott Burgess, whose recording expertise makes it possible to share the world of Sally Hemings with a wide audience.
Take care and thanks,
Sandra”

Comment: Nokuthula Ngwenyama “is representative of a 'world-person'”

Yesterday AfriClassical posted: “Nokuthula Ngwenyama (b. 1976): An American Violist & Violinist of African and Asian Heritage”. Our friend G.Y.F. comments: “Bill, Your prolific gift of Africlassical is truly appreciated. Especially do I applaud today's post that highlights Nokuthula Ngwenyama. You know my commitment to total diversity. She is representative of a 'world-person,' beyond limitation of one 'kind' and culture in the inclusion of all.”  

Comment on 'Mixed Experience History Month: Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, composer'

Lightskinnededgirl.typepad.com posted an article on Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) on May 8, 2009.  It reads, in part:“In 1904 he traveled to the United States where, according to Wikipedia, he developed an interest in his racial heritage: 'He sought to do for African music what Johannes Brahms did for Hungarian music and Antonín Dvořák for Bohemian music.'" 

We have posted a comment:
“Congratulations on identifying and promoting a very accomplished Afro-British composer, conductor and music professor, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Coleridge-Taylor was involved in Pan-Africanism as early as 1900, according to the website of the British Library: 'After reading the work of the African-American writer W.E.B. Dubois, he attended the first Pan-African conference in London in 1900 and became part of a loose circle of black activism.'

http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/features/blackeuro/coleridgepan.html The musical legacy of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor has finally led to numerous recordings in recent decades. Eight audio samples can be heard at the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor page at AfriClassical.com A sample of "Sometimes I feel like a motherless child", recorded by the Coleridge Ensemble in Boston, is nearly five minutes long (4:53)."

Comment on Learning Theremin to Play Scott Joplin's 'A Real Slow Drag' from 'Treemonisha':

[Scott Joplin's Treemonisha; Original Cast Recording; Polygram 435709 (1992)]

Earlier this week, AfriClassical posted “Learning The Theremin To Play 'A Real Slow Drag' From Scott Joplin's 'Treemonisha'". We received this comment from Rashida Black, Founder/Executive Director of The Myrtle Hart Society, http://www.MyrtleHart.org: “A friend of mine suggested that I watch Clara Rockmore perform Claire de Lune on Youtube a couple of years back. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen--like sign language mixed with Arabic and Turkish dance, she manipulated energy with her hands to produce the most amazing soprano sound. One of the most spellbinding things I've ever seen. What an instrument. Thanks, as always, for sharing. Rashida”  In response to Rashida's suggestion, we found Clara Rockmore's performance of Clair de Lune on theremin on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSzTPGlNa5U

Comment on “African Art Music for Flute”

On Monday, May 26, 2008 AfriClassical posted “African Art Music for Flute: Wendy Hymes, flutes, and Darryl Hollister, piano." A comment has been received from wlcn: “This new CD beautifully and colorfully performed by flautist Wendy Hymes and pianist Darryl Hollister is a must buy! A refreshing addition to the CDs for Flute & Piano, this recording features compositions by composers of African descent and brings to attention the wonderful repertoire out there that should become part of the musical canon. The CD is captivating from beginning to end. It makes for a fabulous recital CD and I certainly hope musicians will seek this music out to perform.

As the statement in the liner note informs "the works presented here offer us a glimpse of the spirit and traditional musics of Africa. The composers' diverse training backgrounds have led each to connect with different African and Western musics, but each has succeeded in finding their own unique voice and how to connect with diverse audiences on multiple continents."

The first tracks are Nigerian composer Fred Onovwerosuoke's " Three Pieces for Flute & Piano". The opening track "Just Before Dawn also includes Narrator Richard Moore; then followed by "Iroro" and "Ayevwiomo". Hymes and Hollister produce a wonderful atmospheric, dancing and trancelike reading of this set.

Bongani Ndodana's "Visions Part I & II" for solo flute performed here with such grace, color and sensitivity by Dr. Hymes, are evocative of the music of South Africa.

The seven movements of "Republic Suite" by JH Kwabena Nketia are performed by the duo. They give a kaleidoscopic performance of music influenced by Ghanaian musical idioms.

The Three pieces by Nigerian composer Joshua Uzoigwe's "Oja Flute Suite" are also phenomenally performed by Wendy Hymes. The first piece is for solo flute and the rest accompanied with piano. Hymes and Hollister are so totally attuned to one another and delightfully musically and rhythmically tight.

This fantastic CD ends with Ugandan composer Justinian Tamusuza's "Okwanjula Kw'Endere." Oce again brilliantly and colorfully performed, this work takes advantage of all the different sounds one can draw out of the flute.

The more one listens to the CD, the more one appreciates the sheer genius of the composers and the masterfully performances. I am thrilled Hymes and Hollister put this together and hope they will put out many more recordings.

Comment on 'Son's Teacher Died'

AfriClassical has received the following comment on a letter about the death of a child's teacher, Jerome Ashby, who passed away Dec. 26, 2007:

I was deeply moved when I read the parent's letter this morning regarding her child's teacher passing. The teacher's passing is very sad. I'm sure that all the students that he touched and enlightened and inspired are feeling sad. I bet they will be inspired!! In fact, one day they will play and probably smile thinking of this educator, smile and play like they never have before.

Deepest condolences,
Anthony Jackson