From Michael D. Ligon
Founder, Presenting AfroClassical Composers
Now more than ever, we cannot simply erase from the global repertoire in classical music – and from our cultural awareness and embrace – the brilliant works of George Walker, Florence Price, Hale Smith, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Joseph Bologne (Chevalier de Saint Georges), W. Grant Still, Ulysses Kaye, Tania Leon and many others.
Young orchestral musicians need to know this wonderful music. Enlightened orchestras must infuse publicly funded programs with this extraordinary music.
Once as a young man, I played Dr. George Walker’s composition, Address for Orchestra – as Dr. Walker sat in the concert hall at The Lincoln Center listening to our rehearsal!
On break, I introduced myself to him. That meeting ignited a life-long relationship. Dr. Walker listened to me prepare my college senior recital including his 1st Piano Sonata!
To this day, the flame for the music of Dr. Walker and other AfroClassical composers burns passionately in me.
With Presenting AfroClassical Composers, I pay homage to my mentor and to a magnificent musical lineage!