Violin Concertos by Black Composers - 25th Anniversary / Rachel Barton Pine
Details
- Composer
- Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Chevalier de Saint-Georges Joseph Bologne, Jose White Lafitte, Florence Pri
- Artist
- Rachel Barton Pine
- Format
- CD
- Label
- Cedille
- Released
- Sep 09, 2022
- Catalog #
- CDR 214
- UPC
- 735131921428
About
American violinist Rachel Barton Pine marks the 25th anniversary of her 1997 recording of violin concertos by Black composers of the 18th and 19th centuries with Violin Concertos by Black Composers Through the Centuries. This special-edition reissue updates and expands the original program into the 20th century with Pine’s recent recording of Florence Price’s Violin Concerto No. 2, composed in 1952. The 1997 release established the violinist’s reputation as a passionate advocate for composers of African descent. Pine recorded Price’s Second Violin Concerto with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conducted by rising young American conductor Jonathon Heyward, who has held conducting and guest conducting positions with prominent European and American orchestras. The violinist reprises her previous recordings of masterworks by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1775), José White Lafitte (1864), and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1899), all with Chicago’s Encore Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Hege. The New York Times declared: “Rachel Barton [Pine] handles the concertos’ varied demands with unaffected aplomb, performing this music lovingly.”
REVIEW:
This is more than an anniversary reissue. Cedille updates the release by including a new recording. When Rachel Barton Pine recorded these works in 1997, she was an explorer. The works—and even the names—of Black composers were virtually unknown. Barton’s committed and electrifying performances brought these works to light.
This reissue includes Price’s Second Violin Concerto. Price wrote it shortly before her death in 1952. It had never been performed and was considered lost. The concerto was part of the cache of Price manuscripts rediscovered in 2009. It’s a compact concerto—less than 15 minutes long—but it packs a punch. Barton’s performance crackles with good-natured energy. And the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, directed by Jonathon Heyward, is right there with her.
With the addition of this work, Barton’s survey of Black composers runs from the 1790s through the 1950s. To me, the reissue is a more comprehensive survey, and a more satisfying listen.
--WTJU
Tracklist 8 tracks
-
1 I. Allegro Moderato 10:22
- Track
- 1
- Title
- I. Allegro Moderato
- Duration
- 10:22
- Composer
- Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
- Performer
- Rachel Barton Pine
- Ensemble
- Encore Chamber Orchestra
- Conductor
- Daniel Hege
-
2 II. Largo 08:35
- Track
- 2
- Title
- II. Largo
- Duration
- 08:35
- Composer
- Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
- Performer
- Rachel Barton Pine
- Ensemble
- Encore Chamber Orchestra
- Conductor
- Daniel Hege
-
3 III. Rondeau 04:35
- Track
- 3
- Title
- III. Rondeau
- Duration
- 04:35
- Composer
- Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
- Performer
- Rachel Barton Pine
- Ensemble
- Encore Chamber Orchestra
- Conductor
- Daniel Hege
-
4 I. Allegro 11:39
- Track
- 4
- Title
- I. Allegro
- Duration
- 11:39
- Composer
- José White Lafitte
- Performer
- Rachel Barton Pine
- Ensemble
- Encore Chamber Orchestra
- Conductor
- Daniel Hege
-
5 II. Adagio ma non troppo 04:50
- Track
- 5
- Title
- II. Adagio ma non troppo
- Duration
- 04:50
- Composer
- José White Lafitte
- Performer
- Rachel Barton Pine
- Ensemble
- Encore Chamber Orchestra
- Conductor
- Daniel Hege
-
6 III. Allegro moderato 04:58
- Track
- 6
- Title
- III. Allegro moderato
- Duration
- 04:58
- Composer
- José White Lafitte
- Performer
- Rachel Barton Pine
- Ensemble
- Encore Chamber Orchestra
- Conductor
- Daniel Hege
-
7 Romance in G Major, Op. 39 12:32
- Track
- 7
- Title
- Romance in G Major, Op. 39
- Duration
- 12:32
- Composer
- Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
- Performer
- Rachel Barton Pine
- Ensemble
- Encore Chamber Orchestra
- Conductor
- Daniel Hege
-
8 Violin Concerto No. 2 14:42
- Track
- 8
- Title
- Violin Concerto No. 2
- Duration
- 14:42
- Composer
- Florence Beatrice Price
- Performer
- Rachel Barton Pine
- Ensemble
- Royal Scottish National Orchestra
- Conductor
- Jonathon Heyward