“Juneteenth is the holiday that celebrates Black Americans’ emancipation from slavery,” states an unsigned article on last Saturday’s WQXR.org. “To celebrate, WQXR is presenting a 24-hour marathon of composers and performers of African descent. Throughout the day you’ll hear more than 50 different composers, including Florence Price, William Grant Still, and Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, with more than 60 soloists and ensembles, from Jessye Norman to the Chineke! Orchestra. Our regular Saturday matinee opera broadcast will be a historic Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Aida starring legendary singers Leontyne Price and Grace Bumbry, recorded live at the Met in 1967. John Schaefer hosts a special episode of New York in Concert that includes a recent performance by former national poet laureate Rita Dove reciting work inspired by the Black violin virtuoso George Bridgetower, accompanied by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. In the evening, we invite you to join us for a free, online concert from The Greene Space in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. Hosted by Terrance McKnight, the event features the world premiere of Adolphus Hailstork’s Tulsa 1921 (Pity These Ashes, Pity This Dust).”
Change font size
