Hailstork: Symphonies 2 & 3

Hailstork Symphonies

I ordered this on the strength of hearing a short piece by him at the Cincinnati May Festival and what a surprise ! A real find of considerable proportions. Tuneful , well constructed and exotically orchestrated symphonies by an experienced composer. Why don't we hear them more often??
Definitely worth seeking out. July 12, 2008

A Pleasant Surprise

I bought the Hailstork disc on spec, being totally unfamiliar with his work, but having a possibly unusual curiosity, for an almost 80 year old, about the work of African-American composers, as well as those who are female or from countries not usually regarded as being in the western musical tradition. I was entirely blown away. In fact I've e-mailed BSO conductor Marin Alsop with the suggestion she consider either one or both of these compositions for future programs.
They are so listenable, obviously American, not so obviously African-American; some suggestions of Copeland or Bernstein, perhaps other composers, but altogether a beautifully personal style. Each time I play the disc I find new elements to admire: melodic phrases or instumental combinations that are very appealing. But it's the whole of the pieces that are important, not the individual elements.
I heartily recommend this disc to those who are musically curious.
December 27, 2007

Fantastic Music

Even though I had heard some of Hailstork's music before I was unprepared for the power of these pieces. He blends a variety of styles, sometimes a little minimalism, sometimes echoes of Schuman, Bernstein, Mahler, Copland and others. But this is original and well-conceived music, nothing derivative here. And Naxos delivers fine performances and recordings. You will not be diappointed. December 3, 2007

Superb!

Adolphus Hailstork -- what a memorable name! -- is a longtime professor of music at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. He is a prolific composer but my only previous exposure to his music was a fine CD of his chamber music on the Albany label, and it made me eager to hear more. I was not disappointed with this really quite excellent current release. It contains Hailstork's Second and Third Symphonies played beautifully by the Grand Rapids Symphony under its music director, David Lockington.

The two symphonies could not be more different: the Second is entirely serious and the Third, which is my favorite of the two, is a lighthearted and entirely lovely work in the usual four movements. The Third, which comes first on the CD, begins with a memorable pentatonic trumpet tune that is treated to a combination of minimalist and Coplandesque working-out. (Actually, on reflection, this movement reminds me a lot of the extroverted style of Michael Torke's 'Javelin', a particular favorite of mine.) The second movement is an extended chorale whose predominant mood is one of quiet longing. The Scherzo is a mélange of tricky cross-rhythms and sassy percussion; it has a bluesy middle section which features the odd but effective combination of marimba, tabla and glockenspiel. The finale also features dance rhythms and frequent meter changes. There is a quiet section with divisi strings and woodwinds, reminiscent of the second movement, and then the final section revisits the engaging materials of the first movement. This is an immediately appealing albeit extremely sophisticated work that bids fair, given half a chance, of becoming a modern American repertoire piece. I hope other orchestras take it up. I cannot imagine it not being a huge success wherever it is played, especially if done with the élan on display in this fine performance.

The Second, commissioned by the Detroit Symphony, is dramatic in content, having been inspired by Hailstork's trip to Africa where he saw 'the dungeons where the slaves were held before being shipped overseas. I put my reaction to that sad scene in movement two of the symphony.' Movement four commemorates the strength and determination of 'a people who had arrived in America as slaves.' The sonata-allegro first movement features stabbing brass chords and ominous percussion, along with angular string figures. II features an ineffably sad English horn melody and an agitated middle section. III has irregular rhythms, brilliant wind and brass interjections, and an overall feeling of disquiet. The finale begins with a solo clarinet in its chalumeau register connoting a quiet determination. It alternates with pensive string passages. There is some agitation but the mood of the piece begins to become more transparent, more optimistic and the symphony ends with a song of triumph that yet has ominous reminiscences.

I recommend this CD -- music and performance -- without reservation, and urgently recommend greater attention be paid to the music of Adolphus Hailstork, a major composer in our midst.

Scott Morrison February 16, 2007

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