The first of October, the beginning of #BlackHistoryMonth and the perfect time to start a music review thread of Black composers!

31 pieces in 31 days, let's go!
#blackhistorymonthuk
#BlackLivesMatter

If you haven't already, you should watch this BBC documentary on Black classical music, and if you have seen it already...hey maybe you watch it again. It's good. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000n18w

We shall begin with Florence Price (1887-1953), thought to be the first Black female symphonist. She was the first African American woman to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra.

1. Florence Price - Symphony No. 3



Interesting that as I listened to the first movement I thought oh I hear some Dvorak in this, then had to take a moment to consider who that sound originates from?

The suppression of Black composers means that in many cases I am probably attributing distinctive sounds to the popular artist rather than the correct one - arguably a common mistake but in the case of Black composers the reason for this is often, and unsurprisingly racism.

Dreamy quality to the first movement contrasted with the crash of cymbals, very nice.

The second movement is progressively more and more beautiful, evokes that feeling where the music tugs at your heart and demands your full attention.

Who told this audience to clap in between the movements please? Composer had a lil sass about it I respect that ha

The third movement is fun, I loved the energy, the pick up of speed, the castanets? or ratchet? (I think) - the uplifting spirit of the piece culminating in that

brilliant final movement and well from the Shostakovich thread it can probably be gleaned that I love the drama ha, that final crescendo is very much style.

I must give this a 9/10.

Today I will continue with the legend that is Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Composer, Conductor, Activist and Musical Genius. He studied at the Royal College of Music at just 15! Coleridge was Anglo-African, but his popularity led to him doing three tours in the United States.

Sadly, he lived a relatively short life (1875-1912) - the poet Alfred Noyes spoke of him fondly:

"Too young to die: his great simplicity, his happy courage in an alien world, his gentleness, made all that knew him love him."

2. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor - Ballade for orchestra



Performed by Chineke! Orchestra, the first majority Black professional orchestra in Europe.

'Chineke' = 'God' in Igbo, a language spoken in Nigeria.

& may I take a moment to say that they're awesome!

Extreme talent, I chose this because it was Coleridge's debut composition.

A short, rousing piece, I absolutely love when the energy of the music becomes almost frantic at moments. This has that brilliance.

Big exhale at 4:50 at the swell of the music, bold, harmonious sound - it simply feels perfectly crafted.

I loved so many subtle aspects of this too, the flute at 9:00, the overarching effect on the music was beautiful.

Yes, this is a 9/10.

I'm just going to sneakily recommend this Coleridge piece performed by Sheku Kanneh-Mason, (you may know him as the cellist who performed at the Royal Wedding) - a reimagining of Deep River with violin + cello - stunning. https://open.spotify.com/track/0JXSi46jgn17CpDT6haz2O?si=5uG3i6KGTLCFqXvB247D8A&utm_source=copy-link

Ignatius Sancho (1729-1780) is up next! A British writer and composer. He is the first African to have voted in a general election and did so by meeting the requirements for property ownership which at the time allowed about 3% of the population to vote.

Sancho, was born a slave ship bound from Africa to the West Indies, his father committed suicide to escape bondage.

He gained fame in his time as "the extraordinary Negro", and to abolitionists he became a symbol of the humanity of Africans and immorality of the slave trade.

The horrors of slavery in Sancho's own words:

3. Ignatius Sancho - 12 Country Dances for the Year 1779



and "Minuets"



Right, so these are both quite strange to review since Sancho's work primarily centred around fashionable styles in 18th century Georgian society.

I must say I am out of the loop with these styles, the country dance pieces are enjoyable - I hear they are accompanied by step by step dance instructions but I don’t think there are many cotillions going in 2020.

Minuets has a broader appeal, and is a generally cheerful piece

if you want to feel like a decadent 18th century couple, here's your sound ha

In terms of my own enjoyment this is a 7/10.