1. CLASSICAL MUSIC OF A BRILLIANT MIND
Samuel Coleridge - Taylor
LaTriece Williams | Music 1010 | March 28, 2018
2. PAGE 1
BACKGROUND OF SAMUEL COLERIDGE – TAYLOR (1875-1912)
Samuel Coleridge – Taylor, was brilliant classical composer. His talent and musical influenced proved
that music is a universal language. The way he incorporated the subliminal African – American
culture in some of his classical pieces, validates that belief that any great artist can use their talent to
cross-over color lines and social barriers.
− Taylor was born the only son of a common-life English woman, and African-Creole man.
− His love for classical music began with his English grandfather.
− First instrument he ever played was a violin, presented to him by his grandfather.
− Taylor attended the Royal College of Music, in Kensington, London UK. It was here he
unleashed his classical genius. He was mentored by, Charles Villiers Stanford, Irish music
composer and professor.
− Taylor personally composed music for the entertainment of Marie Antoinette.
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A YOUNG MAN OF EXTRAORDINARY
TALENT!
He was a brilliant musical prodigy. He possessed a talent, uncommonly associated with the color of
his skin. His name was Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Son of a common English woman, and a blue-
collared Creole man. The diversity of his upbringing His upbringing was not the typical reality of
African-American’s of his era. He grew up in a predominantly Caucasian family. His mother’s side of
the family is said to have been, highly musically inclined. Named after the famous poet, Samuel
Taylor Coleridge, one would agree he was set-up for greatness. Taylor’s English grandfather was a
strong influence in his life. Taylor’s grandfather was a skilled violinist, among other talents. It was
his grandfather who introduced him to his passion for classical music.
By age 15 Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was already beautifully, preforming violin solo’s. While
attending the Royal College of Music, in Kensington, London UK, Taylor passion for the
violin somehow transitioned. He wanted to venture deeper into the creation of his music.
He wanted to create the sounds that tell the stories only he could convey. So he began to
study and master composition. Through his studying Taylor became one of most celebrated
composers.
By the late 1800’s, Samuel Coleridge – Taylor, was building creating a name for himself
as a composer. Through the connections that believed him, his music was able to take
him places he would’ve never imagined. It was the help of English composer, Edward
Elgar, that assisted in Taylor experiencing he Three Choir Festival.
One of Taylors most recognized compositions, is African Suite: Danse Nègre. This piece was
composed in 1899, and is said to have been influenced by Taylor’s admiration for well-know
African-American poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar.
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AFRICAN SUITE: DANSE NÈGRE
BY, SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR
THIS CLASSICAL PIECE IS ONE POPULAR COMPOSITION IN TAYLOR’S PORTFOLIO.AS YOU LISTEN
TO THIS CLASSICAL GEM, YOU SENSE THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN PEOPLE
AS THE SOUND OF CLASSICAL PIECE TAKES YOU THROUGH JOY AN DESPAIR. THE INSTRUMENTS
NARRATE A SCENE THAT VIVID PLAYS THROUGH YOUR MIND.THE “AFRICAN MAHLAR”IS HOW
MANY REFERENCED HIM. HIS DIVERSE ABILITY TO MASTER SUCH A SOPHISTICATED SOUND OF
MUSIC, RESONATED WITH HIS CULTURE.
Opus/Catalogue Number Op.35
I-Catalogue Number ISC 2
Movements/Sections
4 pieces
1. Introduction
2. ANegro Love Song
3. A Valse
4. Danse nègre
Year of Composition 1898
First Publication 1898
Composer Time Period Romantic
Piece Style Early 20th century
AFKA SK 543 (1998); Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Chamber
Music; The Coleridge Ensemble; Five Negro Melodies for
Piano Trio Op. 59, No. 1
