Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor – The Black Mahler

Best known for his youthful masterpiece Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast, Coleridge-Taylor was considered by Elgar to be the most gifted composer of his generation.  He was the composing son of a West African father and English mother. His “Hiawatha” trilogy became one of the most popular choral works in England. His sad neglect recently is overdue being turned round. I gave talks as part of Black History Month to the DfE Music Society in October 2006 and the HSE European Society in October 2007.  I ran a day workshop on him in October 2011 at the City Lit.

Coleridge-Taylor Chronology and List of Works

The link below shows the chronology and list of works I created for the course. Coleridge Taylor Life and Works 2011 As they are not avaialble yet on the BBC iplayer I thought I would add some extracts from when Samuel was Composer of the Week in 2004.  The quality of recording is not brilliant but is okay for educational purposes.  I have not included works such as Hiawatha and the chamber works which are easily available elsewhere.  I understand the BBC is to produce a new Composer of the Week for Coleridge Taylor for the centenary celebrations in 2012.  Copywright for all these remains with the BBC who gave me permission to use for educational purposes. COW1 01 talk and introduction COW1 02 This is the Island Gardens COW1 03 talk COW1 04 Ballade in D minor COW1 05 talk COW2 01 Hiawatha Sketch COW2 02 talk COW2 03 Danse Negre COW2 04 talk COW2 05 4 Characteristic waltzes 1 Bohemian COW2 06 talk COW2 07 Ballade in A minor COW2 08 talk COW3 01 talk COW3 03 talk COW4 01 talk COW4 02 Unmindful of the Roses COW4 03 talk COW4 07 talk COW4 08 She Dwells by Great Kenhawa’s Side COW4 09 talk COW4 11 talk COW5 01 talk COW5 02 Big Lady Moon COW5 03 talk COW5 05 talk COW5 07 talk COW5 11 talk