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Donald Macleod journeys into Hailstork’s European musical influences, including the works of JS Bach.

American composer Adolphus Hailstork has written in many genres, ranging from orchestral and chamber, to choral, song cycles and operatic scenes. Of African American heritage and now in his eighties, Hailstork’s works have been performed by major orchestras in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia, and leading conductors have championed his music, including Kurt Masur, Daniel Barenboim and Lorin Maazel.

Born in 1941, his early instrumental studies included the organ, piano, violin and the voice, but it was his experience both in the Anglican Cathedral tradition, and hearing and singing spirituals, that have had a significant impact upon the development of his own musical language. For many years he’s been a Professor of Music at the Old Dominion University in Norfolk.

In conversation with the composer, Donald Macleod explores the impact of European musical traditions upon the works of Adolphus Hailstork. One of the most famous music teachers of all time was Nadia Boulanger, and Hailstork discusses the occasionally challenging experience of studying with her. The composer also talks about his love for the music of JS Bach, and how this has influenced some of his own works, including the first of his Three Spirituals for String Trio, We shall overcome, which he developed similar to a Bach chorale. Hailstork also chats with Macleod about the background to his Symphony No. 1, and how this work was premiered outside in extreme heat.

Sonata for Two Pianos (Allegro energico)
Andrey Kasparov, piano
Oksana Lutsyshyn, piano

Three Spirituals for String Trio
Simon Lapointe, violin
Beverly Kane Baker, viola
Rebecca Gilmore, cello

Trio Sonata
Oksana Lutsyshyn, piano

Symphony No 1
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
JoAnn Falletta, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock