The 1990s
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Trio
Sonata (Piano Solo)
This work was commissioned by Roy Eaton of Roosevelt Island, New York, and was completed in July of 1991. Dr. Hailstork has commented: "This one-movement work is a set of free variations on a simple, triadic motive, one which often appears in the works of Aaron Copland. As the piece evolved, I decided to make it a tribute to three New York-based composers whose compositions represent certain syles of American music: Aaron Copland, Virgil Thomson, and Leonard Bernstein."
"The
Daffodils" from Three Simple Songs
Dr. Hailstork wrote this set of songs for soprano Emma Goldman in appreciation of her good will and support of many years. The first song, "Not In Vain," is uses a text by Emily Dickinson, and the last song, "Christmas Everywhere," uses text written by Phillips Brooks. The song, "Daffodils," pictured here, sets the poem of the same name by William Wordsworth. Although written in 1993, the songs are reminiscent of 19th and early 20th century art songs as evidenced by their lovely and simple melodic lines with clear and supportive steady accompaniment in the piano part.
Slave
Song
This song, written in 1996, sets a text by Frederick Douglass. It was premiered with Adolphus Hailstork and Doug Chenault at the Unitarian Church of Norfolk, Va. Slave Song was written for and dedicated to Willis Patterson, Associate Dean, School of Music, University of Michigan. In performance notes, Dr. Hailstork states: "The work may be performed with piano alone. However, the orignal scoring is as follows: 4 cellos, 1 string bass, timpani. It is possible to perform the work with a combination of the piano and some of the other instruments (ex. Solo cello and piano)."
Tell
Me Trees! What Are You Whispering?
This lovely work was written in 1997 for soprano Lorraine Bell, for
whom Dr. Hailstork has written several other songs. The text is from the
Guyanese poem of the same title which was written by poet Wilson Harris.
The tone of the work is somewhat pastoral and evokes the contemplative
mood of a summer's day.
Divertimento
Composed as a wedding present for Phillippe Chao, Assistant
Principal Violist, Virginia Symphony and Eva Therese Cappelletti, Violinist,
Virginia Symphony. Written in 1999, the three movements, labeled "Discovery,"
"Bliss," and "Reality" reflect the development of courtship and marriage.
Baroque
Suite
Written for Martha Perry, who played and sang with the choir at the Unitarian Church Church of Norfolk, Va., and introduced Hailstork to the nuances of baroque violin. Completed in 1999, the piece was premiered by Ms. Perry and Dr. Lee Teply, harpsichord, in the late summer at Bruton Parish Church in Colonial Williamsburg, Va. The suite contains four standard Baroque movements: a prelude, sarabande, air, and gigue. This is Dr. Hailstork's first piece that has been structured in a Baroque form. The movements are characterized by traditional ornamentation and tempos, and have tonal centers. The work has a modern temperament as expressed through tonicizations and chromaticism, but is not thickly textured. The slower movements are lyrical and expressive while the faster movements maintain lively rhythmic interest throughout.