Category: composition (Page 1 of 2)

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.