By Cincinnati Song Initiative
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The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.
Zenobia Powell Perry (1908-2004) decided to become a classical pianist when she heard Hazel Harrison (the first Black musician to perform with the Berlin Philharmonic) in concert, and went on to study with R. Nathaniel Dett! She became friends with Eleanor Roosevelt, who helped fund her studies. Her songs have a distinct sound, with some dissonance and notes of counterpoint and a level of interest in the piano parts that makes them fun for the singer and the pianist.
Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, Donovan Elliot Smith, tenor, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist:
From Threnody
From Songs on Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar
Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA, and the Carnegie Mellon School of Music Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA.
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So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.
You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.
You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertree
You can follow Donovan Elliot Smith on his YouTube page.
This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.
Howard Swanson (1907-1978) studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music and went on to study at Fontainebleau with Nadia Boulanger. He was close with poet Langston Hughes and his settings of Hughes' texts are considered definitive. Swanson has a unique sound, which makes his music well-suited for more mature musicians, but is still very accessible for an audience.
Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Donovan Elliot Smith, tenor, Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist:
We also mentioned his settings of Langston Hughes texts, many of which are performed on this episode of Song of America radio series.
UPDATE: We updated this episode to include a clip from a performance of Swanson's The Negro Speaks of Rivers by Nicolas Newton, bass-baritone, and Blair Salter, pianist, from the archives of Cincinnati Song Initiative!
Recorded at the Carnegie Mellon School of Music Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA, and Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA.
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So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.
You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.
You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertree
You can follow Donovan Elliot Smith on his YouTube page.
For information on Nicolas Newton, see his website.
For information on Blair Salter, see her website.
This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.
Undine Smith Moore (1904-1989) was a classical pianist who trained at several prestigious universities, and despite her professors urging her to become a professional, she chose to become a public school music teacher and professor. She preferred to compose vocal music; her songs have a sweep and line to them that make them a joy to play and sing.
Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Gracyn Blu Louis, mezzo-soprano, Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist:
From An Anthology of African and African Diaspora Songs
From the Anthology of Art Songs by Black Composers
Recorded at Carnegie Mellon School of Music Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA, and Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA.
***
So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.
You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.
You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertree
For more information on Gracyn Blu Louis, visit their website, or you can follow them on Instagram @gracynblu
This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.
Known as a symphonic composer, Florence Price was the first African-American female to have one of her composition performed by a major orchestra in the US. Her music was rediscovered in 2009 in her old summer home, which has led to many of her works being recently published and premiered. Also an excellent pianist, her art songs include some virtuostic playing for the pianist, along with melodies that capture the text in a way that feels very immediate and can work anywhere in a recital.
Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Ricky L. Owens, Jr., countertenor, Gracyn Blu Louis, mezzo-soprano, Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist:
Score are available from Classical Vocal Reprints:
We also mentioned our CSI colleague Karen Slack, soprano, who has the video podcast KikiConversations on YouTube--she has a new CD out of unpublished Florence Price songs with pianist Michelle Cann entitled Beyond the Years.
Recorded at The Church Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon School of Music Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA, and Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA.
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So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.
You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.
You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertree
For more information on Ricky L. Owens, Jr., countertenor, visit his website.
For more information on Gracyn Blu Louis, visit their website, or you can follow them on Instagram @gracynblu
This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.
William Grant Still (1895-1978) was the first African-American to have a symphony performed by a major US orchestra (Symphony No. 1-"Afro-American" in 1931), to have an opera performed by a major US opera house (Troubled Island by New York City Opera in 1949), to conduct a major US orchestra (the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra in 1955), and to have an opera performed on television (A Bayou Legend in 1981). His songs have a very American sound, with hints of French harmonies and spirituals.
Our special guest hosts today are baritone Lester Lynch, who balances his international career with teaching at San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and composer M. Roger Holland, II, from the University of Denver, who runs The Spirituals Project and composed Ubuntu: I Am Because You Are, premiered by Kantorei (as soon as there is a clip, we will add this to the show notes!).
Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Aliyah Quill, soprano, Solomon Onyukwu, baritone, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist (click on the titles for purchase information):
Songs of Separation:
from the anthology William Grant Still: An Art Song Collection:
Recorded at the Carnegie Mellon School of Music Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA.
***
So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.
You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.
You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertree
Aliyah Quill and Solomon Onyukwu are students/graduates of Carnegie Mellon University.
This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.
R. Nathaniel Dett was a Canadian-American composer and concert pianist with a degree from Oberlin College. His arrangements of spirituals use the piano to great effect in bringing out the text--he also has an extensive repertoire of choral music. Hall Johnson was a professional violinist/violist who formed many choirs, the most famous of which (the Hall Johnson Choir) sang on over 30 major motion pictures (including several Disney films!). His Ride On, King Jesus should be a staple of the canon.
Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Ricky L. Owens, Jr., countertenor, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist:
Dett (click on the titles for score information):
Johnson:
Recorded at The Church Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA.
***
So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.
You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.
You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertree
For more information on Ricky L. Owens, Jr., countertenor, visit his website.
This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was a British composer and conductor with strong ties to the United States. His songs have a very "salon-music" feel to them, romantic and accessible for audiences. His daughter Avril was also a composer-conductor and we would love to find out how to access her music, so if anyone knows, please reach out!
Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Donovan Elliot Smith, tenor, Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, Hanna Atsedwoin, soprano, Aliyah Quill, soprano and Ellen Rissinger, pianist:
Recorded at the Carnegie Mellon School of Music Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA, and Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA.
Be sure to check out the new CD What Dreams We Have: The Poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar, performed by Kenneth Overton, baritone, and Casey Robards, pianist!
***
So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.
You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.
You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertree
You can follow Donovan Elliot Smith on his YouTube page.
You can follow Hanna Atsedwoin on Instagram @hanna_atse
Aliyah Quill is currently a senior at Carnegie Mellon University.
This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.
Harry Thacker Burleigh was the first Black composer to have a major influence on classical music, both by his own compositions and by his influence on Antonín Dvořak. His art songs were composed before his collection of spirituals and have recently been collected and edited by Louise Toppin, Ann Sears and Jean Snyder (who also wrote a biography of Burleigh) into 47 Art Songs by Harry T. Burleigh as part of the Videmus African American Art Song Series published by Classical Vocal Reprints.
Our special guest host on this episode is baritone Kenneth Overton, whose CD with pianist Casey Robards will be released at the end of the month--UPDATE, the CD has dropped! Be sure to check out their new CD What Dreams We Have: The Poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar!
We also mention The Spirituals of Harry T. Burleigh on the episode.
Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Ricky L. Owens, countertenor, Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist:
Recorded at The Church Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA, and Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA.
***
So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.
You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.
You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertree
For more information on Ricky L. Owens, Jr., countertenor, visit his website.
This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.
Season 3 drops starting August 20th, this time on Tuesdays! This season, Toni Marie and Ellen focus on Black composers, with an incredible array of guest hosts and performers. Make sure to subscribe and tell all your friends, colleagues, and students, you won't want to miss this season!
So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.
American composer Craig Bohmler has an extensive list of musicals as well as operas, art songs, concerti, etc. He has at least ten song cycles to his credit, and his music is highly accessible for audiences while still giving musicians as fun challenge to perform!
His cycles Love Letters and Quatre Petites Chansons pour le Petit Déjeuner are available from Sheet Music Plus as well as many other outlets.
Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist:
Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA.
***
So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.
You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.
You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertree
You can find out more about Zach on his website, https://www.zacharydeansmith.com/
This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.
The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.
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