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Donald Macleod discusses with Adolphus Hailstork the origins of his interest in Jewish traditions.

American composer Adolphus Hailstork has written in many genres ranging from orchestral and chamber, to choral, song cycles and operatic scenes. Of African American heritage and now in his eighties, Hailstork’s works have been performed by major orchestras in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia, and leading conductors have championed his music, including Kurt Masur, Daniel Barenboim and Lorin Maazel. Born in 1941, his early instrumental studies included the organ, piano, violin and the voice, but it was his experience both in the Anglican Cathedral tradition, and hearing and singing spirituals, that have had a significant impact upon the development of his own musical language. For many years he’s been a Professor of Music at the Old Dominion University in Norfolk, and he resides in the state of Virginia, USA. His own list of teachers is impressive, not least of all Nadia Boulanger at the American Institute at Fontainebleau. Hailstork’s own reputation has been significant, and he’s been called the Dean of African-American composers.

Adolphus Hailstork from an early stage not only sang in an Anglican Cathedral, but also played the organ and went on to conduct choirs too. The composer in conversation with Donald Macleod, delves into how important these early experiences were upon how his own musical language has developed. Hailstork mentions how the first movement of his Piano Concerto has been commented upon as similar to Gregorian Chant, and how the grandeur of Cathedral music can be clearly heard in many of his own writings of choir and orchestra. Macleod also explores with the composer how other traditions have influenced him, including finding the Jewish song Shalom Chaverim and creating a set of piano variations from it.

String Quartet No 1 (Allegretto)
Vahn Armstrong, violin
Amanda Gates-Armstrong, violin
Jennifer Snyder, viola
Michael Daniels, cello

Toccata on Veni Emmanuel
James Kosnik, organ

I Will Sing of Life (Songs of Life and Love)
McCullough Chorale
Donald McCullough, director

Nocturne (Songs of Life and Love)
McCullough Chorale
Donald McCullough, director

Eight Variations on Shalom Chaverim
Andrey Kasparov, piano

Piano Concerto (excerpt)
Stewart Goodyear, piano
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
JoAnn Falletta, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock