Fabulous violinist Tim Schwarz will be featured in this program that will explore some lesser-known, but simply beautiful, music by minority composers and other oppressed peoples.  The program will include works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, an English/African composer celebrated during his lifetime as “the African Mahler”;  William Grant Still, a sadly neglected African-American composer who was an active part of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920’s and 1930’s;  as well as some Blues by W.C. Handy and Spirituals arranged by George Morrison.  The final work will be an amazing virtuoso work by Jewish composer Paul Schoenfield called “Four Souvenirs” that explores four different dances from Samba to Tango to Tin Pan Alley and Square Dance.

Tim and I went to Peabody Conservatory together many years back and formed the Upper Valley Duo that focused on forgotten American music.  We won the US Artistic Ambassador Program in 1996 and were sent by the US State Department on a two month, eleven country of the Middle East and Southeast Asia with stops in Syria, Pakistan, Egypt, Israel, Thailand, Laos, and more.  It was one of the greatest experiences of our lives and the power of this music to transcend all cultural barriers was truly inspiring.   Hope you can join us for one of the concerts—they should be very special programs!

We actually just performed this concert in the Asheville area to rave reviews.  Click on the link below to read one review:  http://cvnc.org/article.cfm?articleId=8781

Click below to see a live performance of the Violin Suite by William Grant Still with Schwarz and Weiser: