Richard Alston

Richard Alston
Rutgers University, NJ

Richard Alston is a masterful pianist, having appeared as a soloist and in recitals with orchestras throughout the United States and Europe. After earning both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Juilliard School of Music, Richard was poised for a career in both classical piano performance as well as performing arts education. His performance credits range from recitals, guest soloist with orchestras, live opera to radio and television broadcasts as well as CD recordings. Prof. Alston is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. His teacher and coach is Prof. Paul Hoffmann.

Talk Title: Classically Black: Piano Compositions by Composers of African Descent

Compositions by Theme

Slave Songs and Negro Spirituals

“Troubled Water” Margaret Bonds (1913-1972) – This is a piano transcription of the Negro spiritual “Wade in the Water,” coded with two meanings (for slave owner and slave). It is composed in the 19th century style of the piano transcription that was used by Franz Liszt.

African Americans and Classical Music

“Adagio in F Minor Chevalier de Saint George (1745-1799) – This is a richly expressive work in the tradition of Haydn and Scarlatti.

“Basso Tuba Waltz” Blind Tom (1849-1908) – Thomas Greene Bethune, known as “Blind Tom” was the first Black concert pianist to gain recognition.

“Valse” Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967) – This classical piece was composed by Strayhorn when he was only 15. He would later go on collaborate with Duke Ellington and compose great jazz compositions.

“Fantasie Negre” Florence Price (1887-1953) – Composed in 1929, this is a piano transcription of the spiritual “Sinner Please Don’t Let This Harvest Pass.” It is composed in the 19th century style of the piano transcription that was used by Franz Liszt and dedicated to Price’s student Margaret Bonds.