While remembering the legacy (see these wonderful stories by NPR and Strings Magazine) of George Walker, who passed away in August of 2018 at the age of 96, advocates continue to champion his music.
In a recent article on NPR, violinist Rachel Barton Pine discusses her Music by Black Composers project. Another composer quoted in the article, Billy Childs, notes that of his "favorite pieces ever written" is George Walker's Concerto for Trombone.
Notable recent and upcoming performances of George Walker's music include:
- The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra will be giving eight performances of Antifonys for string orchestra in April and May of 2019.
- The University of Memphis, under the direction of Harvey Felder, presented George Walker's orchestra work, Icarus in Orbit on November 28, 2018.
- A total of fifty-six performances of George's most popular work Lyric for Strings has occurred since last April or will take place in the near future. Past performances includes four performances by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Riccardo Muti in April of 2018, a performance by the New York Philharmonic directed by Joshua Weilerstein on July 26 of 2018, a performance in Germany by Orchesterverein Kempten-Allgau under Mary Ellen Kitchens on July 21 of last year, a performance on September 22 by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra under Jaime Laredo, three performances in October by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra with Xian Zhang conducting, and two performances by the Tuscon Symphony Orchestra under Gemma New on January 12 and 13 of this year. Future performances include three with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra under James Fellenbaum at the end of January, one with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra under David Cho on February 5, one by the Montclair Orchestra with David Chan conducting to be given on March 10, and one with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra directed by Darko Burarac to be given on March 31.
To inquire after these or any other titles, please contact Lauren Keiser Music Publishing.