Canon Busters: Black Classical Composers Finally Being Recognized
Canon Busters: Black Classical Composers Finally Being Recognized
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In the world of classical music, Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, among others, have long been recognized as the “crème de la crème” brilliant, prolific composers considered icons within a canon dominated by white men.
Now, after decades languishing in relative obscurity, four African American classical composers are gaining the respect they deserve and that was formerly denied because of pervasive racist and sexist ideologies.
William Grant Still, Jr. (1895–1978), George Theophilus Walker (1922–2018), Florence Beatrice (Smith) Price (1887–1953) and emerging artist Jessie Montgomery (born 1981), each had compositions performed by the New Orchestra of Washington (D.C.) during a concert on June 19.