1982 Oberlinger organ at Marktkirche [Market Church], Wiesbaden, Germany

1970 Aeolian-Skinner organ, Opus 1476, at National Presbyterian, Washington DC

1964 Möller; 2001 Goulding & Wood organ at National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington DC

1926 Skinner organ at Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian, Detroit, Michigan

Blending Black and White

Old world resonances come together in new world experiences on this week’s show, it’s a discovery of colorful and unusual works on African-American themes. Noel DaCosta adapts Nigerian tunes in his Ukom Memory Songs for organ and percussion, Dezsö Antalffy transforms Black spirituals in a splendid solo fantasy from the 1930s, and Pulitzer Prize-winner George Walker evokes images of craggy heights in his new solo titled Spires. Mickey Thomas Terry provides personal glimpses to repertoire which juxtaposes light and shade with vivid result.

Duke Ellington’s urbanaty, southern spirituals and Nigerian funeral chants all figure in our program of music on African American themes. We’re blending Black and White together, with colorful results, this week’s broadcast.

Listen to the program

Program Broadcast dates:

• February 03, 2003

Music played in the program

DEZSÖ ANTALFFY-ZSIROSS: Sketches on Spiritual Songs –Hans Uwe Hielscher (1982 Oberlinger/Market Church, Wiesbaden, Germany) Edition Lade CD-016

MARK FAX: Allegretto, from 3 Pieces. NOEL DaCOSTA: Variations on Maryton, Oh master, let me walk with Thee GEORGE WALKER: Elevation –Mickey Thomas Terry (1970 Aeolian-Skinner/National Presbyterian, Washington, DC) Albany TROY136

ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK: Toccata on Veni Emmanuel –Mickey Thomas Terry (1938 Aeolian-Skinner/St. Paul Chapel, Columbia University, New York, NY) Pipedreams Archive recorded July 10, 1996

WALTER HILSE: In memoriam Duke Ellington –Walter Hilse (1938 Aeolian-Skinner/St. Paul Chapel, Columbia University, New York, NY) JAV CD-103

RUTH NORMAN: Reflections –Mickey Thomas Terry (1964 Möller; 2001 Goulding & Wood/National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC) Pipedreams Archive recorded July 8, 2001

MARK FAX: Toccata. EVELYN SIMPSON CURENTON: Meditation on Were you there? GEORGE WALKER: Spires [1998] –Mickey Thomas Terry (1985 Schantz/Lumen Christi Catholic Community [St. Leo the Great], Saint Paul, MN) Pipedreams Archive recorded January 20, 2003

WILLIAM GRANT STILL: Elegy –Ken Cowan (1926 Skinner/Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian, Detroit, MI) JAV CD-118

NOEL DaCOSTA: Ukom Memory Songs –Earl Yowell, David Hagedorn, percussion; Mickey Thomas Terry (1985 Schantz/Lumen Christi Catholic Community [St. Leo the Great], Saint Paul, MN) Pipedreams Archive recorded January 20, 2003

Four volumes in an African-American Organ Music Anthology, edited by Dr. Mickey Thomas Terry, are available from MorningStar Music Publishers