Hallé - From the New World

Delyana Lazarova conductor | James Ehnes violin

Price Ethiopia’s Shadow in America 14′
Barber Violin Concerto 25′
Dvorák Symphony No.9, ‘From the New World’ 40′

In this American-themed programme, Hallé Assistant Conductor Delyana Lazarova is excited to be ‘bringing to life again the music of the inspiring composer Florence Price.’ She was the first African-American woman to gain recognition as a symphonic composer. For Delyana, Ethiopia’s Shadow in America combines ‘melodies of pure beauty, imaginative use of orchestral colours and an evocative musical language’ drawn from the spirituals of African-American slaves. A favourite Hallé guest artist, James Ehnes performs Barber’s Violin Concerto, its full-bloodied, soaring lyricism creating a 20th-century American classic. It was Dvorák in the New York Herald who pinpointed spirituals as the way forward for American composers. Spirituals also influenced his own Ninth Symphony, its soubriquet ‘From the New World’ aiming to convey his vivid ‘impressions’ of the USA.