Jeff Tyzik, conductor
Kearstin Piper Brown, soprano
Emma Grace Wade, soprano
Thomas Warfield, narrator
ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK An American Fanfare
NKEIRU OKOYE Songs of Harriet Tubman
WILLIAM GRANT STILL Symphony No. 1 in Ab Major, “Afro-American”
JAMES LEE III Freedom’s Genuine Dawn (RPO Co-Commission)
DUKE ELLINGTON The River Suite
Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik makes a guest appearance in the Philharmonics series to conduct this special concert, a celebration in music of Black Rochesterians and Black Composers with historical ties to the RPO. Rochesterians Kearstin Piper Brown and Thomas Warfield join the RPO for this program, featuring works by Adolphus Hailstork, Nkeiru Okoye, Duke Ellington, and an RPO Co-commission by James Lee III. A highlight of the night will be William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony, which was premiered in Rochester by the RPO in 1931.
Hear more from Kearstin Piper Brown, James Lee III, Thomas Warfield, and Jeff Tyzik in conversation On Record with WXXI’s Julia Figueras.
WXXI Classical presents the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2022-2023 season on Mondays at 8 p.m. on Classical 91.5/FM-HD 91.5-1. Brenda Tremblay hosts.
This concert will be rebroadcast on October 2, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.
