#ClassicsaDay #WeWriteSymphonies Week 2

Last month the Classics a Day team made #BlackLivesMatter the theme. Systemic racism in classical music has limited exposure to composers of color. So for August, the team opened up the focus even further. 

#WeWriteSymphonies is a hashtag used by composers of color, and it seems like a logical extension of #BlackLivesMatter.

For my contributions to the feed, I found examples throughout music history. The problem isn't new. There are talented composers of color underrepresented in every era -- not just in contemporary music.  Here are my #ClassicsaDay posts for the second week of #WeWriteSymphonies

08/10/20 Leo Brouwer (1939 - ) Cantilena de los Bosques

Cuban composer is a major figure in the world of classical guitar. IN addition to his music for the instrument, Brouwer has also composed film scores, ballets, and concert works.

Download a FREE pdf of Capricho Árabe arranged by Agustín Barrios here! https://tinyurl.com/y5cm7byv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guitarsaloninternat...

08/11/20 Francis Johnson (1792-1844) - Johnson's March

A trumpet virtuoso, Johnson was a groundbreaking Black composer. He was the first to have his music published, the first give public concerts and perform on stage with both black and white musicians.

Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America Johnson's March (arr. for orchestra) · Symphony Orchestra of America Johnson, F.: The Philadelphia Gray's Quickstep /...

08/12/20 Isang Yun (1917-1995) - Violin Concerto No. 3

Korean composer Isang Yun emigrated to West Germany in 1959. He was kidnapped by South Korean police in 1967. He was tortured to confess to espionage. A petition with over 200 of the world's greatest classical artists eventually secured his release four years later.

Composer: Isang Yun (윤이상 Yun Isang) (September 17, 1917 - November 3, 1995) Violinist: Vera Beths Orchestra: Radio Filharmonisch Orkest conducted by Hans Von...

08/13/20 Carlos Chávez (1899-1978) - Sinfonia No. 2 "Sinfonia India"

Chávez often incorporated elements of his native Mexican folk music into his works. The Sinfonia India uses traditional Yaqui percussion instruments.

Carlos Chávez (1899-1978) : Sinfonia No.2, "Sinfonía India" (1935/1936) --- Orquesta Filarmonica de la ciudad de México (non Royal Ph. Orch. come indicato ne...

08/14/20 Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) - Amazonas

This 1916 works marks a turning point. Villa-Lobos moved from writing in a purely Eurocentric style to one that closely integrated the music of his native country, Brazil.

Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959): Amazonas, balletto (1917) --- Orquestra Sinfônica Simón Bolívar diretta da Enrique Arturo Diemecke --- cover image by Tarsila...

Ralph Graves

Ralph has been a classical music programmer and host at WTJU since 1982. He’s also a published author and composer. Ralph’s music is available on Fleur de Sol and ERM Recordings and Soundcloud.

https://the-unmutual.blogspot.com/
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