Woodwind Music of Black Composers

(Hardback)

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Description

The preponderance of early Black composers wrote choral music and even the most outstanding among them did not compose works for woodwinds. However, the later half of the twentieth century has witnessed a rise in compositions for woodwinds, both for solo and chamber ensembles by relatively unknown Black composers. This pioneering volume will become the standard source of information on nineteenth and twentieth century Black composers from three continents as well as their woodwind compositions. It contains the most current and complete biographical data on 90 African composers, Afro-American composers, Afro-Latin composers, and Afro-European composers, including their education and professional experience and information on their continuing musical influence. A distinctive feature is the separate, easy-to-use woodwind music index of both published and unpublished works for solo and chamber ensembles that groups the music by medium and numbers into 27 categories that contain some 430 works. Exact instrumentation, dedication or commission, premiere performance, and publisher are also found here. A list of abbreviations, key to publishers, collections, and manuscripts, and a discography of 38 recordings of woodwind works by 26 of the included composers complete the volume. This first bibliography of woodwind music by Black composers is an excellent reference work for Black composers, for the woodwind repertoire, and for American music in general. It will be highly useful in college-level courses such as Survey of Afro-American Music and Woodwind Literature as well as to woodwind players, ensemble directors, and scholars.

Reviews

Biographical data on 19th and 20th century Black composers and thorough information on their compositions. A distinctive feature is the separate woodwind music index of both published and unpublished works for solo and chamber ensembles that groups the music by medium and numbers into 27 categories and contains some 430 works. Exact instrumentation, dedication or commission, premiere performance, and publisher are also found here.-Reference & Research Book News
Compiled from numerous sources, including personal contacts, Dominique-Rene de Lerma's monumental Bibliography of Black Music, John Gray's Blacks in Classical Music, and Eileen Southern's classic Biographical Dictionary of Afro-American and African Musicians, this work includes 90 woodwind composers whose 430 musical compositions range from solos to works requiring up to 13 instruments. Limited to published works of 20th-century African-American composers, most entries include a very brief biographical sketch (a good starting point for researchers and students), a list of the composer's published works, and sources consulted. For ease of identification, the compilation lists African, Afro-American, Afro-Latin, and Afro-European composers separately. Includes a woodwind music index (conveniently arranged by categories of performing media), a discography of 38 recorded woodwind works by 26 of the 90 composers in this collection, and a very useful 68-item bibliography. Horne's admirable compilation stands alone, and is highly recommended to woodwind and ensemble players, conductors, music teachers, researchers, and libraries serving serious music patrons.-Choice
"Biographical data on 19th and 20th century Black composers and thorough information on their compositions. A distinctive feature is the separate woodwind music index of both published and unpublished works for solo and chamber ensembles that groups the music by medium and numbers into 27 categories and contains some 430 works. Exact instrumentation, dedication or commission, premiere performance, and publisher are also found here."-Reference & Research Book News
"Compiled from numerous sources, including personal contacts, Dominique-Rene de Lerma's monumental Bibliography of Black Music, John Gray's Blacks in Classical Music, and Eileen Southern's classic Biographical Dictionary of Afro-American and African Musicians, this work includes 90 woodwind composers whose 430 musical compositions range from solos to works requiring up to 13 instruments. Limited to published works of 20th-century African-American composers, most entries include a very brief biographical sketch (a good starting point for researchers and students), a list of the composer's published works, and sources consulted. For ease of identification, the compilation lists African, Afro-American, Afro-Latin, and Afro-European composers separately. Includes a woodwind music index (conveniently arranged by categories of performing media), a discography of 38 recorded woodwind works by 26 of the 90 composers in this collection, and a very useful 68-item bibliography. Horne's admirable compilation stands alone, and is highly recommended to woodwind and ensemble players, conductors, music teachers, researchers, and libraries serving serious music patrons."-Choice

Author Bio

AARON HORNE, a clarinetist and saxophonist, is professor of Woodwinds and coordinator of jazz activities at Northwestern University in Chicago, and lecturer in African American Studies at Northwestern University. His works in process include Pioneers in the History of Jazz Saxophone and Brass Literature by Black Composers.