Read / Harmony and Pride: Celebrating LGBT+ Composers

Harmony and Pride: Celebrating LGBT+ Composers

Music has always been a powerful medium for expression and connection, and LGBT+ composers have made remarkable contributions to its vibrant landscape. Their stories resonate through their music, celebrating both individuality and the shared human experience. This Pride Month, we’re celebrating the lives and legacies of LGBT+ composers: their extraordinary talents and their impact on the world of classical music.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

1. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

One of the most well-known composers in classical music, Tchaikovsky left a legacy with works such as Swan Lake, the 1812 Overture, and his Piano Concerto No. 1, which the Modesto Symphony featured during their season opening concert in October 2023. Due to his international acclaim, the Soviet Union made great efforts to censor any mention or reference of Tchaikovsky being anything but heterosexual. However, many biographers do agree that he was gay, citing his long-term connections with men in his social circles, and the fact that he was a bachelor for most of his life, except for a short-lived, failed marriage to Antonina Miliukova.

Francis Poulenc

2. Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

Francis Poulenc was a French composer and pianist, with a wide catalog of compositions, including piano works, operas, ballets, choral pieces, and orchestral concert music. He was one of the first openly gay composers, having a serious relationship with painter Richard Chanlaire. He was known as a very light-hearted individual within musician circles, which likely contributed to his more sincere & religious works being overshadowed. He was highly celebrated and in 1945, was commissioned by the London Philharmonic by the French government to perform his defiant compositions and works against Nazi rule.

Dame Ethel Smyth

3. Dame Ethel Smyth (1858-1944)

Ethel Smyth was an English composer, and a prominent member of the women’s suffrage movement. As a child prodigy, Ethel studied composition with other well-known Romantic Era composers, including Tchaikovsky, Grieg, and Dvořák. Her compositions were frequently criticized, being labeled as “too masculine” for a female composer. In 1910, she became involved with women’s suffrage and developed a close relationship with leadership. She was inspired to compose her most well-known work, “The March of the Women”, which then became the anthem for the Women’s Social and Political Union and suffragettes. Most of her lovers were women, and on her sexuality, she said that it was “so much easier to love her own sex.”

Samuel Barber and Gian Carlo Menotti

4. Samuel Barber (1910-1981)

Samuel Barber was a highly celebrated American composer, who made little effort to keep his sexuality a close secret. His life partner was opera composer Gian Carlo Menotti, who he met in 1928 while attending the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. The two stayed together for 40 years, supporting each other’s careers—Barber received two Pulitzer Prizes, and Menotti completed 15 operas—while the two were together.
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra, featuring violinist Simone Porter, performed Barber’s romantic Violin Concerto in February 2023.

5. Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687)

Jean-Baptiste Lully

Considered a top figure of the French Baroque style, little is known about Jean-Baptiste’s education and early life, although, accounts say that he was employed by a duke of Guise in 1647 to entertain his niece. It was during his time that he honed his skills in instruments and dance. By 1653, Jean-Baptiste caught the attention of King Louis XIV, who made him the royal composer for instrumental music, and would eventually rise to become the superintendent of the royal music and music master of the royal family in 1661. However, his talent and charisma would not prevent Louis XIV’s anger for Jean-Baptiste’s reputation of love affairs with many men and women in the court.

Leonard Bernstein

6. Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)

Leonard Bernstein was one of the most important conductors and composers in American classical music history, and possibly classical music as a whole. His repertoire is widely celebrated, including the Broadway hit West Side Story—which the MSO performed an arrangement of during their That’s Entertainment! concert in March 2020, his Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, and Slava! A Political Overture, among countless others. He is also widely known for his humanitarian efforts in the civil rights movement, anti-Vietnam war efforts, and his advocacy for AIDS research. One of his most famous humanitarian performances was when he conducted Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall. He was married to actress Felicia Cohn, which was a reality for many gay men, to maintain a good public standing. Felicia was understanding of his sexuality, writing to him, “…If your peace of mind, your health, your whole nervous system depend on a certain sexual pattern what can you do?”

To learn more about Pride and how composers intersect, we encourage you to read more at the sources below!

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Sources:

• https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/great-classical-composers-who-were-gay/

•  https://www.ethelsmyth.org/about/biography/

• https://www.spectrumensemble.org/samuel-barber.html

•  https://www.classicfm.com/composers/bernstein-l/leonard-biography-compositions-family-wife/

Read / 6 Black Artists Who Changed Classical Music

6 Black Artists Who Changed Classical Music

There is a large catalog of talented Black artists who have left lasting impacts on the world of classical music but are overlooked because of their race. We have composed a list of 6 Black Composers and Musicians who influenced and helped shape the orchestral world. Which Black artist would you like to hear their music being performed live today?

Florence Price

1. Florence Price, composer (1887-1953)

Florence Price was born to a music teacher mother, who instilled a love of music in Florence from an early age. At the age of 4, she had her first piano performance, and at 11, her first composition was published. Unsurprisingly, she graduated from the Conservatory of Music in Boston with honors, receiving a teaching certificate and an artist diploma in organ. As a teacher, she influenced many upcoming Black musicians and composers, and received the honor of being the first Black woman to have her composition played by a major U.S orchestra, with Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing her Symphony No. 1 in 1933. The Modesto Symphony Orchestra had the honor of performing her Concert Overture No. 2 in October 2022 and Symphony No. 3 in May 2023.

William L. Dawson

2. William L. Dawson, composer
(1899-1990)

Dawson was a skilled trombonist as a child, and ran away from home as a teenager to pursue a career in music at Tuskgee Institute (now know as Tuskgee University). After graduating with honors, he would go on to receive a master's in composition from the American Conservatory of Music. He would start his career by teaching at Tuskgee, and directing the 100-member choir, recognized internationally and sponsored by the White House. Last February 2024, the Modesto Symphony Orchestra performed his most famous composition: Negro Folk Symphony. It premiered in 1934 by the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, and masterfully showed the evolution of American Classical music by incorporating elements of Black culture, blending them masterfully with classical forms.

Chevalier de Saint-Georges

3. Joseph Bologne - Chevalier de Saint-Georges, composer (1745-1799)

Not much is known about the Chevalier’s early music education, other than at the age of 7, he was sent to Paris for his musical studies. He would debut as a solo violinist in one of  Europe’s most renowned orchestras, Le Concert des Amateurs, playing two of his own violin concertos. He was appointed the next conductor of the orchestra, only furthering its renown and reputation across the globe. An accomplished composition writer, performer, fencer, and socialite, it is no surprise that president John Adams is quoted in saying “he is the most accomplished man in Europe”.
The 2022 biographical drama film, Chevalier, is based on his legendary life.

George Walker

4. George Walker, composer, organist and pianist (1922-2018)

George Walker has the distinction of being the first Black composer to receive a Pulitzer Prize in Music for his work, Lilacs in 1996. During his education at Curtis Institute of Music, he studied under many great classical performers and teachers, including Rudolf Serkin, Gregor Piatigorsky, and William Primrose. Perhaps this period, including his own experiences growing up around jazz, contributed to his unique composition style, where he did not tie himself down to one label or genre. Over his lifetime, he composed well over 90 different works, and received commission requests from the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and Philadelphia Orchestra, among many others.

Marian Anderson

5. Marian Anderson, contralto (1897-1993)

Marian Anderson was an important figurehead not only in the opera community, but the civil rights movement in its entirety. Not to be discouraged by the roadblocks that would try and prevent her from a career in singing, she received her first spotlight in a singing competition with the New York Philharmonic at the age of 25, which propelled her onto singing tours across Europe and the United States. After initially being denied to sing at a concert in Washington D.C in 1939, by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Anderson was put into the international spotlight, which was not the norm for a female Black musician. After receiving presidential support from Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor, Anderson would perform an open-air concert on Easter Sunday, 1939 to an integrated crowd of 75,000 people, and a radio audience of millions.

Marian was invited by the MSO in 1956 to perform a recital at the historic Strand Theater (where Brenden Theaters now resides in Downtown Modesto). The audience was at full capacity and according to Pat Morrison of the Modesto Bee, “Her direct and reverent style, deep in feeling and calm in confidence lends a spiritual tone to her voice. To hear Marian Anderson is more than a musical experience.” 

Duke Ellington

6. Duke Ellington, pianist and composer (1899-1974)

Duke Ellington spent most of his early musical years writing one-off compositions while working other jobs. For example, his first composition, entirely written by ear was the “Soda Jerk Rag” at the age of 15. Around 1919, however, Ellington was encouraged by artists around him to pursue his musical career. Finding success as a piano player, Ellington formed his own group that would play around Virginia and Washington D.C. He would gain national recognition, however, in the1920s, with his orchestra’s feature in the Cotton Club at Harlem. He would conduct his jazz orchestra until his last days and received a posthumous Pulitzer Prize in 1999. More recently, you may have heard the MSO perform the Duke Ellington Fantasy arranged by Leroy Anderson at their Great American Songbook concert in March 2023.

To learn more about Black excellence in music, we encourage you to check out the sources below!

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Sources:

• https://jimcrowmuseum.ferris.edu/question/2021/december.htm

• https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/black-composers-who-made-classical-music-history/

• https://www.laphil.com/about/watch-and-listen/the-legacy-of-henry-lewis

• https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/History/Carnegie-Hall-Icons/Marian-Anderson

Read / Beethoven's 9: A Symphony of Influence

Beethoven’s 9: A Symphony of Influence

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 is not only one of the Beethoven’s greatest compositions, but possibly one of the greatest classical music compositions of all time. A piece full of bombastic sounds and joyous energy, it was completely revolutionary for the time. It’s also the first example of a major composer scoring vocal parts in a symphony.

The story goes that, at the premiere of the symphony, either during the second movement or near the end of the finale, the audience erupted into applause. Beethoven, who was still conducting, was turned around by one of the vocalists to accept the cheers from the audience members. The audience took part in a standing ovation, throwing hats and waving hands, so Beethoven (who was profoundly deaf at this point in his life) could understand the celebration of the audience.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 not only impacted the classical music sphere, but pop culture entirely. His symphony has been referenced time and time again, across many forms of media. We’ve complied a list below; see if you can recognize your favorite films or tv shows!

• European Anthem - In 1972, the Council of Europe adopted Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” theme as it’s anthem, and became official in 1985. There are no lyrics to the anthem, as the universal language of music expresses the ideals of freedom, peace, and solidarity.

• Die Hard (1988) - “Ode to Joy” has a surprising feature in the hit 80’s action film (and Christmas movie!) , during the scene in which the building’s vault is broken into. It seems a strange choice for the genre of film, but director John McTiernan wanted to include it as a reference to the following Kubrick film:

• A Clockwork Orange (1971) - Symphony No. 9 is featured in bits and fragments throughout the film, a favorite symphony of the anti-hero protagonist, that is turned against him in the end.

• NBA ‘I Love this Game’ Campaign (1990s) - ‘Ode to Joy’ was featured in NBA’s commercial campaign, serving as a soundtrack to describe all the emotional highs and lows on the court.

• Muppet’s “Ode to Joy” cover - Another fantastic example in the Muppet’s cover repertoire, featuring Beaker on every part.

• The Compact Disc- It was rumored that the CD was specifically designed to accommodate 74 minutes of music so it could accommodate Beethoven’s symphony.

These are just a few of the many examples of Beethoven’s impact. Whether you’re a long time music fan, or just starting to listen, we hope that this list illustrates just how important music can be to all different aspects of culture.

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Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._9_(Beethoven)#Influence

• https://www.kdfc.com/articles/the-many-lives-of-beethovens-ninth-symphony

Discovering Dawson's Masterpiece: The Negro Folk Symphony

about the composer

Discovering Dawson’s Masterpiece: The Negro Folk Symphony

William L. Dawson, composer

Born on September 26, 1899, in Anniston, Alabama, William Levi Dawson emerged as a prominent composer, conductor, and educator, contributing significantly to the cultural landscape of the 20th century. Among his notable works, the Negro Folk Symphony stands as a testament to his artistry and commitment to celebrating Black American musical traditions.

Dawson’s journey in music began at an early age, and he quickly became a skilled trombonist. As a teenager, he ran away from home to pursue a musical education at the Tuskegee Institute, now known as the Tuskegee University. After graduating with honors in 1921, Dawson went on to pursue a Bachelors of Music from Horner Institute of Fine Arts, and a Masters Degree in Composition from the American Conservatory of Music. Dawson’s exposure to the rich heritage of Black American folk music during this time laid the foundation for what would become one of his most celebrated compositions.

After completing his studies, he was given tenure from the Tuskegee Institute, where he conducted the 100-member choir in several nationally recognized broadcasts and performances, including performances at the White House and Constitution Hall. Dawson also went on an international tour with the Tuskegee Choir to the British Isles, Europe, and the Soviet Union under the sponsorship of President Franklin. D. Roosevelt. Beyond his many achievements and honors, Dawson’s symphony is what gave him the most notoriety in the sphere of musical arts.

Composed in 1934, Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony is a groundbreaking work that masterfully blends classical forms with the vibrant rhythms and melodies of Black American folk music. Dawson drew inspiration from spirituals, work songs, and other traditional tunes, infusing the symphony with a unique cultural resonance. In a 1932 interview, Dawson said: “I’ve tried not to imitate Beethoven or Brahms, Franck or Ravel…the finest compliment that could be paid to my symphony when it has its premiere that it unmistakably is not the work of a white man.”  

Negro Folk Symphony had its world premiere on November 14, 1934 by the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, under direction of Leopold Stokowski, at Carnegie Hall. It was an instant, but fleeting success at first before falling into obscurity until 18 years later. After a several-week tour in West Africa in 1952, Dawson was inspired to revise his symphony and integrate the unique rhythms and musical experiences from his trip. This revised symphony is what is commonly heard today.

The Negro Folk Symphony not only showcases Dawson's compositional prowess but also serves as a significant cultural statement. It is a shining example of the excellence of Black American musicians and composers, once lost to time, getting the recognition that they deserve in the modern orchestral sphere.  .  In a time when racial inequality and discrimination were pervasive, Dawson's work highlighted the beauty and strength inherent in Black American musical heritage. This symphony has endured as a symbol of resilience and cultural pride, continuing to be performed and celebrated by orchestras around the world.

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Listen to Dawson’s Legacy Live!

Come hear William Dawson’s Symphony No. 3 this February 9th & 10th at the Gallo Center for the Arts!

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Learn more about Dawson (Reference):

• Biography. Alabama Music Hall of Fame. (n.d.). https://www.alamhof.org/williamldawson

• Brown, G. K. (n.d.). Negro folk symphony. BSO. 
  https://www.bso.org/works/negro-folk-symphony 

• Schwartz, E. (n.d.). Negro Folk Symphony, William Dawson. LA Phil. https://www.laphil.com/musicdb/pieces/6227/negro-folk-symphony 

• Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, January 5). William L. Dawson (composer). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_L._Dawson_(composer) 

The Perseverance of Florence Price

about the composer

The Perseverance of Florence Price

Florence Price, composer

Florence Beatrice Smith was born on April 9, 1887, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her father was the only African American dentist in the city and her mother was a music teacher, who provided Florence with her earliest musical training. Florence proved to be highly talented, giving her first piano performance at the age of four, and publishing her first composition at the age of 11. In 1902, at the age of 15, she enrolled in the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and was the only one of 2,000 students to pursue a double major in organ and piano. She graduated with honors four years later with a teaching certificate and an artist diploma in organ performance.

Maude Roberts George, arts administrator

1910 marked the beginning of a new chapter for Florence where she began her teaching career in Atlanta, Georgia before eventually settling in Little Rock after marrying Thomas J. Price and having two children. Increasing racial tensions in the South led the Prices to leave Little Rock and settle north in Chicago. It was here that Florence’s composition career began to take off. In 1928, she published four compositions for piano while studying with Chicago’s leading composition and organ teachers. In 1933, Maude Roberts George, an advocate for the Arts, especially for those underrepresented, paid $250 (the modern-day equivalent of $5,093 ) for Price’s Symphony No. 1 to be performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a part of the Chicago World’s Fair. This made Florence Price the first Black woman to have her music performed by a major U.S. orchestra. Price’s unique style began to appear in 1938 with the completion of her third symphony. In traditional Romantic fashion, Price’s Symphony No. 3 has four movements. From the beginning of the piece, Price’s modernism shines through with a slow introduction that leads into a turbulent main theme. As the second movement starts, the influence of Black music comes front and center as jazz and blues themes take over in the solo trombone. The third movement continues to celebrate the blues, while introducing a Juba, an African American dance style created by those who were enslaved in the Deep South with specific origins being linked to Charleston, South Carolina. It’s a dance involving stomps and claps and eventually influenced future styles of music and dance in popular culture, such as modern tap dancing, and rhythm and blues singers which eventually influenced rock musicians. In the symphony’s final movement, the African American styles and classical music influences collide, providing joyous energy.  

Over her lifetime, Florence Price composed over 300 works in a variety of genres, including symphonies, choral works, pieces for piano and organ, and many others. She passed away in 1953 at the age of 66. In a time when classical music was largely based on European traditional practices, Price’s compositions were distinctly American and celebrations of her heritage that incorporated Black spirituals and folk traditions. Florence Price was a pioneer in classical music not only for her gender but also for her race. Her legacy brought a new narrative and voice forward that was largely overlooked.

Join us as the MSO performs Florence Price’s Symphony No. on May 12 & 13 alongside the monumental Mozart Requiem.

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Listen to Price’s Legacy Live!

Come hear Florence Price’s Symphony No. 3 alongside Mozart’s Requiem, conducted by Anthony Parnther, this May 12th & 13th at the Gallo Center for the Arts!

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Learn more about Price (Reference):

• “Florence Price.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, April 7, 2023. 
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Price#Biography. 

• Ege, Samantha. “Composing a Symphonist: Florence Price and the Hand of Black Women's Fellowship.” Women and Music: A Journal of Gender and Culture. University of Nebraska Press, August 13, 2020. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/762310. 

• “Symphony No. 3 in C Minor (Florence Price).” LA Phil. Accessed April 7, 2023. https://www.laphil.com/musicdb/pieces/6500/symphony-no-3-in-c-minor. 

• “The Story behind: Price's Symphony No.3.” Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. Accessed April 7, 2023. https://www.riphil.org/blog/the-story-behind-price-s-symphony-no-3. 

• “Juba Dance.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, February 14, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juba_dance