Earlier this year, Classical 101 and the Columbus Museum of Art collaborated for Portraits of Langston, a program featuring music by composers Valerie Coleman and William Grant Still. This weekend, Classical 101 is broadcasting some highlights from that concert.
Tune in at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24.
The program name references a chamber work by composer Valerie Coleman. Coleman writes:
Portraits of Langston is my take on (Langston) Hughes' poetic memories of Harlem and Europe (mainly Paris). I chose Langston not because of who he is in literature, but because he was, in fact, an eyewitness to legends born.
His poems are so descriptive of the era, with references to particular settings and individuals who influenced him: Josephine Baker, Helen Keller, the nightlife and music of Harlem jazz clubs and Parisian cabarets.
The imagery that Hughes provides gives me quite a historical palette that inspires me to illustrate a work truly unique to duo repertoire.
Stylistically, this work incorporates many different elements that are translated into woodwind technique: the stride piano technique, big band swing, cabaret music, mambo, African drumming and even traditional spirituals.
The concert featured clarinetist Antoine T. Clark, flutist Dennis Carter, pianist Caroline B. Salido-Barta and narrator Herbert Woodward Martin. In addition to performing, Clark was the creator and organizer of the musical portion of the event and provided program notes.
Be listening at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 for highlights from Portraits of Langston on Classical 101.
