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Mon, 9 Aug 1999 07:39:28 EDT |
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Bob Draper writes:
>However, there is a definately true story that a black slave living
>in Cornwall, England in the late 18th century wrote excellent music.
>Apparently, he was a virtuoso violinist as well. I think some of the
>fellow's music survives but much has been lost. Can anyone supply a
>name for him?
I'm afraid not but recently I heard a radio program of the music by
Pianist/Slave - Blind Thom Buthoon (not sure of the spelling, almost
sounds like buffoon). He lived in the South but toured Europe.
There is a recording of his music coming out soon. It is in the back of
my mind the pick up this disc when it arrives, I really liked what I heard.
One piece was literally a blind man's attempt to recreate the sounds of the
Battle of First Manassas on the piano. I remember the piece having things
like the tune "Dixie" being punctuated by piano chords to simulate the
sounds of gunfire. Amazing stuff.
Rather then attempting to make Beethoven black, PC zealots should try,
instead, to make people aware of music like this if they have a point they
are trying to make.
Steve M. (Northern Virginia)
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