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On the excellent CD Viola Revival violist Jonathan Bagg presents mid-century works for viola and piano by three significant African American composers who were not given the recognition they deserved during their lifetimes – Marion Bauer (1882-1955), Ulysses Kay (1917-95) and Margaret Bonds (1913-72). Emely Phelps is the pianist for most of the CD (New Focus Recordings FCR477 newfocusrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/viola-revival-mid-century-works-by-marion-bauer-ulysses-kay-margaret-bonds).
Bauer founded the American Music Guild in 1921 and co-founded the Society for American Women Composers in 1925 and the American Composers Alliance in 1937. Her Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op.22 from 1932 combines contemporary period stylings with French and late Romantic influences that reflect her early training with Nadia Boulanger.
Kay’s Sonata for Viola and Piano from 1942 was written at Yale University while Kay was studying with Paul Hindemith, whose neoclassical approach is reflected in the sonata.
Bonds was a student of Florence Price and active as a composer and pianist in Chicago. Her Troubled Water, based on the Negro spiritual Wade in the Water was a staple of her concerts, and was later arranged by her for cello and piano. Pianist Mimi Solomon joins Bagg in his arrangement for viola and piano.
Viola Revival: Mid-century works by Marion Bauer, Ulysses Kay & Margaret Bonds