Musical Landscapes in Color: Conversations with Black American Composers - Hardcover

Banfield, Bill

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810837064 ISBN 13: 9780810837065

Publisher: Scarecrow Press, 2003

Synopsis

A sequel to the award-winning The Black Composer Speaks (Scarecrow Press, 1978), this exploration of the creative world of African American composers traces the lives and careers of 40 talented individuals and, in their own words, provides perspectives on a world that has been slow to recognize their remarkable contributions to classical music. The discussion places the music of these composers within the greater context of Western art music, but analyzes it through the lenses of sociology, Western concepts of art and taste, and vernacular musical forms, including spirituals, blues, jazz, and contemporary popular music. Each chapter is devoted to an individual composer, who discusses his or her musical training, compositional techniques and style, and the composer's personal philosophy as reflected in his or her music. A selected list of compositions for each composer is included, as well as a photo and sample of the composer's "hand." Banfield offers unprecedented insight into the history and influence of the African American composer with this documentary, which will appeal to everyone from the music scholar to the general reader.

About this title

About the Author

William C. Banfield is Professor of Africana Studies/Music/Society at Berklee School of Music. A musician, composer, conductor, and musical director, Banfield is the consulting editor for African American Cultural Studies for the Scarecrow Press, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0810837064
• ISBN 13: 9780810837065
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 400