Adolphus Hailstork (1941)

Donald Macleod journeys into the varied musical landscape of
Adolphus Hailstork, in conversation with the composer himself.


American composer Adolphus Hailstork has written in many genres
ranging from orchestral and chamber, to choral, song cycles and
operatic scenes. Of African-American heritage and now in his
eighties, Hailstork’s works have been performed by major
orchestras in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia, and leading
conductors have championed his music including Kurt Masur, Daniel
Barenboim and Lorin Maazel. Born in 1941, his early instrumental
studies included the organ, piano, violin and the voice, but it
was his experience both in the Anglican Cathedral tradition, and
hearing and singing spirituals, that have had a significant
impact upon the development of his own musical language. For many
years he’s been a Professor of Music at the Old Dominion
University in Norfolk, and he resides in the state of Virginia,
USA. His own list of teachers is impressive, not least of all
Nadia Boulanger at the American Institute at Fontainebleau.
Hailstork’s own reputation has been significant, and he’s been
called the Dean of African-American composers.


Music Featured:


Symphony No 3 (Vivace) The Lamb String Quartet No 3 (Moderato)
Piano Sonata No 2 Symphony No 3 (Scherzo) Fanfare on Amazing
Grace Three Spirituals for Orchestra Symphony No 2 (Adagio) Three
Spirituals for String Trio Symphony No 1 I Will Sing of Life
(Songs of Life and Love) Eight Variations on Shalom Chaverim
Arabesques Whitman’s Journey: I launch out on the endless seas


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock


For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Adolphus Hailstork (1941)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001cgkd


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z