Performance: Dimitri Murrath, viola; San Francisco Conservatory of Music Orchestra conducted by Michael Morgan

About Two Romances:

“These Two Romances are dedicated to violist Beverly Baker (viola section leader of the Virginia Symphony) and conductor, JoAnn Falletta. Although I sketched the pieces during the 1980’s, I had put them aside because of their old fashioned lyricism. Years later, when Beverly told me that she and JoAnn had discussed a possible orchestral setting of my other work for Beverly (Sanctum), I suggested these two pieces instead. So, with Maestro Falletta’s interest, and Beverly’s encouragement, I polished them up for performance.

The Two Romances are simple, straight forward, tranquil pieces in ABA form. In the first one, the flute and violins present a pastoral theme which is then taken up by the viola. A repeated figure in the harp begins the middle section. Finally, the opening motive returns in greatly enhanced note values in the violins.

After a short introduction in violins and harp, the solo viola enters with the main melody of Romance No. 2. Bassoon and oboe also begin the middle section which develops motives from the main theme. The introduction returns, with darker harmonies and orchestration, but, gradually, the coloring lightens, and the piece closes with the same delicate which concluded the first movement.

The Two Romances exist in two versions, one for orchestra, the other for chamber ensemble. Also, the viola solo with piano reduction is suitable for recital performance.”

– Program notes, Adolphus Hailstork

About Adolphus Hailstork:

“Virginia resident Adolphus Hailstork received his doctorate in composition from Michigan State University, where he was a student of H. Owen Reed. He had previously studied at Manhattan School of Music under Vittorio Giannini and David Diamond, at the American Institute at Fontainebleau with Nadia Boulanger, and at Howard University with Mark Fax. Currently, Dr. Hailstork is Professor of Music and Eminent Scholar at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Before that appointment he was Professor of Music and Composer-in-Residence at Norfolk State University.

Dr. Hailstork has written in a variety of genres, producing works for chorus, solo voice, piano, organ, various chamber ensembles, band, and orchestra. His early compositions include Celebration, recorded by the Detroit Symphony in 1976; and two works for band (Out of the Depths, 1977, and American Guernica, 1983), both of which won national competitions. Dr. Hailstork’s works have been performed by such prestigious ensembles as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, and the New York Philharmonic, under the batons of leading conductors such as James DePreist, Daniel Barenboim, Kurt Masur, and Lorin Maazel. Dr. Hailstork’s Second Symphony was commissioned by the Detroit Symphony. His second opera, Joshua’s Boots, was commissioned by the Opera Theatre of St. Louis and the Kansas City Lyric Opera. Dr. Hailstork’s Second and Third Symphonies were recorded by the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, under David Lockington, on a Naxos label disc released in January 2007.

Recent works include Earthrise, a new large scale choral work premiered by James Conlon, Three Studies on Chant Melodies for the American Guild of Organists, and Whitman’s Journey, a cantata for chorus and orchestra, premiered by the Master Chorale of Washington, D.C. Rise for Freedom, an opera about the Underground Railroad, was premiered by the Cincinnati Opera Company.”

– LA Phil