The Music I Never Knew | Solomia Soroka, violin Arthur Greene, piano

Throughout the history of American classical music, one senses a hidden inferiority complex in relation to European models. An exciting project “The Music I Never Knew” aims to rediscover great music by unknown Americans.

Solomia Soroka and Arthur Greene are well-known performers and recording artists for Naxos and Toccata Classics in London. They specialize in music that has never been performed or recorded before.

The duo is offering a program of unknown violin compositions by American composers of the late 19th to beginning of 20th centuries. Not many people have heard of any of these composers, but nevertheless each composition is an outstanding, vibrant, colorful, and engaging piece of music. On hearing these pieces, one inevitably wonders why they have been forgotten. The rare scores of all the pieces presented are out of print, being last published around 1900.
The presenters will give the audience insight into composers’ life and work, and explain the compositions performed.

“Sonata in D Major, Op. 8 Rossetter G. Cole (1866-1952)
I. Allegro moderato II. Scherzo: Presto III. Adagio IV. Allegro con moto

Autumn in Hungary
To A Wild Rose Edward MacDowell (1860 -1908)
Negro Croon Arthur Hartmann (1881-1956) Arr. by A. Hartmann INTERMISSION
Sonata for Violin and Piano Julius Chajes (1910-1985) I. Allegro appasionato II. Mourner’s Prayer. Poco adagio III. Scherzo IV. Finale. Allegro con moto

Suite for violin and Piano
William Grant Still (1895- 1978)
I. Suggested by Richmond Barthe’s “African Dancer”
II. Suggested by Sarget Johnson’s “Mother and Child’
III. Suggested by Augusta Savage’s “Gamin”