Herstory: Solo Piano Works from Female Composers of Colour
Luke Welch
Independent n/a (lukewelch.ca)
There is no disputing the tremendous influence Black musicians have had on every aspect of American popular music going as far back as the pre-Civil War period. Less well known are those who followed the path of traditional classical composers, choosing an idiom closer to that of 19th century Europe. Despite the significant number of women included in the latter group, today their names remain relatively obscure.
In this attractive recording – appropriately titled Herstory – Toronto-born pianist Luke Welch explores the vital contributions made by women composers of colour from the mid-19th to the early 20th century, including works by Florence Price, Francisca Gonzaga, Amanda Aldridge, Viola Kinney, and Estelle Ricketts. Price is the best-known of these composers, born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1887. Her Etude which opens the disc, is a pedagogical piece requiring considerable dexterity, making use of the full keyboard, while the impressionistic Memory Mist, is gently lyrical.
Brazilian-born Gonzaga was very much a ground breaker, earning a reputation as a composer, pianist, and conductor despite lifelong personal challenges. Compositions such as Altraente, Grata Esperanza and Walkyria are finely crafted miniatures, frequently incorporating Latin rhythms. Throughout the recording, Welch performs with an elegant sensitivity, perfectly suited to the repertoire.
Aldridge’s singing career was cut short by laryngitis, and she subsequently turned to composition under the name Montague Ring. Her two suites Four Moorish Pictures: An Eastern Suite and T’Chaka: African Suite contain evocative rhythms and harmonies and are fine examples of the trend towards exoticism prevalent in early 20th century British piano music.
Kenney’s Mother’s Sacrifice and Ricketts’ Rippling Spring Waltz round off a satisfying program. Kudos to Mr. Welch for shedding light on some hitherto unknown – but most deserving – repertoire.
