Uncovered, Vol. 1: Samuel Coleridge-Taylor—Catalyst Quartet; Stewart Goodyear, piano; Anthony McGill, clarinet (Azica 71336)
Bravo to the Catalyst Quartet and Cleveland’s Azica Records for embarking on Uncovered, a series whose future releases will include music by Florence Price, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, William Grant Still, and George Walker. Volume One features the works of English composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor including his Piano Quintet in G Minor with pianist Stewart Goodyear, Fantasiestück (a set of five Fantasy Pieces for strings), and the Clarinet Quintet in F-Sharp Minor with clarinetist Anthony McGill. Here’s a timely quote from Catalyst: “Over the course of time there have been many overlooked artists in classical music, especially because of their race or gender. It is important to acknowledge that we have not yet heard the whole story due to this sidelining of musical voices. Composers like Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Florence Price, and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson have contributed beautifully crafted work to the repertoire but are not widely celebrated because quality recordings and performances of their music are rare or nonexistent. With our next recording project we are helping to change this unfortunate reality.” A descendent of freed slaves, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor fought for the British in the American Revolutionary War. Despite being a success in his day and enjoying the support of Edward Elgar and noteworthy critics, he died at the age of 37 in financial stress, having received no royalties from his Song of Hiawatha, which was wildly successful throughout his lifetime. His story and death inspired the formation of the Performing Rights Society in England. (Note: link sends you to the Catalyst Quartet website.)