I think that the music tonight is my favorite so far. Canción de Cuna Del Niño Negro (1937) is a beautiful lullaby written by Amadeo Roldán y Gardes. He was born in Paris to Cuban parents and was able to study violin and composition from a very early age. Sounds like someone I know! Roldán moved to Cuba when he was in his 20s and lived the rest of his life there. In Cuba he conducted the Havana Philharmonic Orchestra, taught composition at the Havana Municipal Conservatory. His position allowed him the opportunity to introduce Afro-Cuban music and rhythms into the classical concert hall. Here is Canción de Cuna Del Niño Negro (Lullaby for a Black Child).
Historical information and arrangements from Music by Black Composers (MBC) Violin Volume 1. Published by Ludwig Masters Publications 2018. Rachel Barton Pine Foundation.
The story of Thomas Greene, or “Blind Tom”, is sadly a story that we continue to hear – if only in new ways. He was born enslaved in Georgia in 1849. The family (Bethunes) who enslaved him enjoyed music, so he was introduced to music at a young age and began to display remarkable gifts. Thomas was most likely what we would recognize today as an autistic savant. He could listen to music and perform it back remarkably well. The Bethunes took advantage of his talent and began having him perform throughout the United States. In fact, he was the first African American to perform for a United States President, and he did this at the age of 11! I wish I could say that after the Civil War, Thomas enjoyed freedom, but he remained tied to the Bethunes until he died – writing music and playing concerts for their financial benefit. The piece that Wren played today is called The boy with the axles in his hands (1866). She picked this piece because it made her feel happy … she said “I liked the happy mood.” What did Wren learn? She “learned that he didn’t give up in life despite challenges.” Perseverance is a great life skill! Thank you Thomas Greene!!!
Historical information and arrangements from Music by Black Composers (MBC) Violin Volume 1. Published by Ludwig Masters Publications 2018. Rachel Barton Pine Foundation.
The music for today is by an American Composer! Thomas J. Martin was from New Orleans. He was a free man before the Civil War, and wrote quite a bit of music in the late1850s. This piece was quite popular (according to the Music by Black Composers book). Not much is known about Martin….so this title seems appropriate.
Historical information and arrangements from Music by Black Composers (MBC) Violin Volume 1. Published by Ludwig Masters Publications 2018. Rachel Barton Pine Foundation.
Today we would like to introduce you to Ignatius Sancho who was born in 1727 on a slave ship from West Africa to the West Indies. He was orphaned by 2 years old when he was sold to sisters living in London. At some point during his childhood he met the Duke of Montague who eventually bought him and taught him to read, write and also music. When the Dutchess of Montague died, Sancho became free, married and owned a grocery. He primarily wrote minuets and other dances. Wren enjoyed playing Just So In the North and she says likes this piece because “it’s very lively.” She also “especially likes the contrast between the two themes.” The music made her feel “happy and free.” I wonder if Sancho could help us feel this freedom because he understood what it felt like to live without it? Just So In the North was written around 1767.
Historical information and arrangements from Music by Black Composers (MBC) Violin Volume 1. Published by Ludwig Masters Publications 2018. Rachel Barton Pine Foundation.
We are just looking everywhere we can for hope. For a just society where everyone enjoys the same freedoms. I know I have a lot to learn, but I’m willing, and hoping to teach Wren. Today we went to a peaceful protest. We stood with signs along a busy road near our home. A lot of people came out with signs with various messages. I felt so many things while I stood there listening to people blow their horns and wave out of car window. I mostly felt remorse. At one point, an African American family stopped in front of us at a traffic light. The little girl was smiling and waving at Rick, and I noticed that her mom was making a video and crying. I was so sad that I have been so slow to listen, to act… I am trying to listen. I want to be better. I want to act. It’s way past time.
We listen to a lot of classical music in our home. When you think of classical composers, you probably immediately think of Mozart or Bach or another white man. They were amazing composers, no doubt, but there are a lot of amazing composers of color too! Rachel Barton Pine, an amazing violinist from Chicago, has collected music by black composers into a book for young violinists. Today, Rachel’s daughter, Sylvia, played these pieces in a recital. We have the collection, so Wren is going to be learning them, and learning about the composers who have written such amazing music. This will be our theme for “hymns of comfort” for a while. Won’t you learn with us?
Theme from Sonata No. 4 for Two Violins was written around 1780 by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. He was born to an enslaved woman and a plantation owner on the island of Guadeloupe, but moved to Paris with his family when he was 13. Saint-Georges was among the first composers in France to write string quartets, and he wrote symphonies that inspired Mozart! We hope you enjoyed…and maybe the music stirred a little hope?
Historical information and arrangements from Music by Black Composers (MBC) Violin Volume 1. Published by Ludwig Masters Publications 2018. Rachel Barton Pine Foundation.
Today we remembered the suffering of George Floyd and so many others. Wren was practicing, but at 3:45 we stopped what we were doing and were silent for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. A lifetime….
We are all Children of the Heavenly Father!
It’s really hard to know how to teach my child how to respond to this week. She keeps asking “why is this happening”? I don’t know what to tell her…but we all went to a lament walk tonight (Stayed back from the crowd to avoid the virus)….
For now…we will try to live like this:
But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously. Micah 6:8 (the Message)
That’s what I’m hoping for! I’m hoping for peace and reconciliation – of all people and all of creation. Here is Wren’s hymn of comfort…
Speaking of new mornings! The cicadas are starting to wake up! We are experiencing a cicada emergence here! I know most people don’t like these, but I think they are very cool! I can’t believe that these insects are older than my child! They have been developing underground for 17 years. The nymphs have been feeding on tree roots for the past 17 years, and have emerged since our ground temperature is now over 64F. I had fun exploring today and seeing every above-ground stage! My family thinks I’m kidding when I say we are having these for dinner! Insect protein is a very important food source in a lot of the world. Cicadas are actually pretty good! I think they taste like almonds… Cyclical insect emergences provide big nutrition boosts to people and wildlife alike! Be on the lookout for healthy bird, squirrel and chipmunk populations – they will all take advantage of all of the cicadas!! Want to read more? Check out this page!
Nymph – arriving above-groundAdult emergingEmerged adult – wings unfurled – waiting to dryexoskeleton of nymphso many cicadas have emerged!!Adult – able to fly
P.S. I guess there is some risk in eating cicadas…thanks to pollution. Because they are underground for 17 years, they would have time to absorb and retain any toxins in the soil. So, eat at your own risk… I’m still tempted!
I don’t have much to say tonight. We need peace, and I think our kids will be the peacemakers. We must teach them! It’s a big responsibility. I’m up for it!
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