Violin Concertos by Black Composers Through the Centuries

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American violinist Rachel Barton Pine marks the 25th anniversary of her 1997 recording of violin concertos by Black composers of the 18th and 19th centuries with violin concertos by Black composers through the centuries. This special-edition reissue updates and expands the original program into the 20th century with Pine’s recent recording of Florence Price’s Violin Concerto No. 2, composed in 1952. The 1997 release established the violinist’s reputation as a passionate advocate for composers of African descent.

Pine recorded Price’s Second Violin Concerto with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conducted by rising young American conductor Jonathon Heyward, newly named Music Director Designate of the Baltimore Symphony (at age 32). The violinist reprises her previous recordings of masterworks by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1775), José White Lafitte (1864), and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1899), all with Chicago’s Encore Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Hege.

"The New York Times" declared: "Rachel Barton [Pine] handles the concertos’ varied demands with unaffected aplomb, performing this music lovingly". The Chicago-based artist has been hailed as "an exciting, boundary-defying performer" by "The Washington Post". "The New York Times" described her as "striking and charismatic … she demonstrated a bravura technique and soulful musicianship". This new album of violin concertos by Black composers is Pine’s 22nd Cedille Records album. Her discography also includes critically acclaimed recordings on the Avie and Warner Classics labels. © Cedille Records