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Donald Macleod tells the story of the romance between Coleridge-Taylor and Jessie Walmisley, playing some of music that they worked on together.

Donald Macleod continues his examination of the life and music of the Anglo-African composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, an internationally renowned figure in late Victorian times.

As part of Radio 3's commitment to connecting audiences with pioneering music and culture, this week we're exploring issues of diversity and access in classical music with a Diversity and Inclusion in Composition Conference at RNCM and a celebration of a wide range of performers and composers in our programmes, including Composer of the Week.

Coleridge-Taylor's mixed race heritage was unusual in Victorian Britain, but his talents as a musician seemed to protect him from much of the racism which might have been expected to come this way. However, when he fell in love with an English girl her family were outraged at the prospect of a 'mixed marriage'. Donald Macleod tells the story of the romance between Samuel and Jessie, and plays some of the music that they worked on together.

Romance in G Major; Ballade in D minor
Michael Ludwig (Violin), Virginia Eskin (Piano)
Koch 3-7056-2 H1 Tr 5

The Lee Shore; The Sea Shell
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Singers, Paul Brough (conductor)

Spirituals - Going Up; Take Nabadji; Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
Virginia Eskin
Koch 3-7056-2 H1 Tr 6, 7, 10

The Death of Minnehaha
Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera, Helen Field (Soprano), Bryn Terfel (Baritone), Kenneth Alwyn (conductor)
ARGO 430 356-2 CD1 Tr 15 - 19.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

    Ballade in D minor Op.4 for violin and orchestra

    Performer: Michael Ludwig. Performer: Virginia Eskin.
    • KOCH.
    • 3-7056-2.
  • Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

    The Lee Shore for chorus (SATB)

    Conductor: Paul Brough. Performer: ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Singers.
  • Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

    The Sea Shell for chorus (SATB)

    Conductor: Paul Brough. Performer: ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Singers.
  • Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

    24 Negro melodies Op.59`1, transc. for piano

    Performer: Virginia Eskin.
    • KOCH.
    • 3-7056-2.
  • Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

    The Death of Minnehaha Op.30`2 - part 2 of Scenes from 'Hiawatha'

    Conductor: Kenneth Alwyn. Performer: Bryn Terfel. Performer: Helen Field. Performer: Welsh National Opera Chorus. Performer: The English National Opera Orchestra.
    • ARGO.
    • 430 357/8-2.

Broadcasts

  • Wed 12 Sep 2012 12:00
  • Wed 12 Sep 2012 18:30
  • Wed 19 Oct 2016 12:00
  • Wed 19 Oct 2016 18:30

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