A Pan-American composer? Coleridge-Taylor and Africa
From early published compositions (the seven African Romances, op. 17, for voice), Samuel Coleridge-Taylor consciously projected himself as a composer of lively African sensibilities. His later scores reflect more somber musical influences from the African diaspora. The composer also made one specific attempt to incorporate West African thematic materials into his work, offering a tantalizing glimpse of a path he might have taken had he not died so young. He never visited Africa or met his father, but he had firm contacts with the tight-knit social circle of West African professionals to which his father belonged. At least twenty-four West Africans attended the composer's funeral in 1912, and a wreath in the shape of the continent, highlighting Sierra Leone, was laid at his grave (Fryer 1984, 261). African aspects of both his music and his family background are relevant to proper assessment of the composer and his work. Coleridge-Taylor came to prominence at the high point of Victorian political and popular engagement with Africa. The commander-in-chief of the British-led forces in Egypt, Sir Herbert Kitchener, defeated the Mahdists at Omdurman on September 2, 1898. Tory prime minister Lord Salisbury's main intent in venturing into the Sudan was to counter French threats to control continental river and rail connections. On
The Hiawatha man : the life and work of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Parentage childhood in Croydon Royal College of Music Elgar, Gloucester and the Ballade Hiawatha's wedding feast the death of Minnehaha Hiawatha's departure orchestral music a first faltering? toiling for the festivals a low ebb - the reception of "The Atonement" an awareness of colour first visit to the USA Kubla Khan and the Symponic Variations second visit to the USA opera and drama - Thelma and Faust recovery - "Bon-Bon" Suite and Bamboula Carl Stoeckel and the third visit to the USA the violin concerto overwork and death aftermath - the Hiawatha man?
From the World Literature
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xi INTRODUCTION: Goethe Coins a Phrase 1 PART ONE: CIRCULATION Chapter 1: Gilgamesh's Quest 39 Chapter 2: The Pope's Blowgun 78 Chapter 3: From the Old World to the Whole World 110 PART TWO: TRANSLATION Chapter 4: Love in the Necropolis 147 Chapter 5: The Afterlife of Mechthild von Magdeburg 170 Chapter 6: Kafka Comes Home 187 PART THREE: PRODUCTION Chapter 7: English in the World 209 Chapter 8: Rigoberta Menchu in Print 231 Chapter 9: The Poisoned Book 260 CONCLUSION: World Enough and Time 281 BIBLIOGRAPHY 305 INDEX 319