RalphHartsock's Blog

New Publication

ralphhartsock — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:39:42 +0000

M.E. Sharpe reference has just published American Countercultures: An Encyclopedia of Nonconformists, Alternative Lifestyles, and Radical Ideas in U.S. History.

The full list of contents is available at: http://www.mesharpe.com

American Countercultures

Elements of American counterculture, from revolutionary times to the present, are discussed. Subjects include Abolitionism; Baby Boomers; Civil Rights Movement; Emerson, Ralph Waldo; Newport Folk Festival; Peter, Paul and Mary; Temperance Movement; Woodstock Music and Art Fair.

Gloria Coates’s recent symphonies

ralphhartsock — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:28:01 +0000

Gloria Coates is a pioneer of the sonic device known as the glissando. The first major work to exhibit large scale use of this was her Symphony no. 1, also called “Music on Open Strings.” It was premiered at the Warsaw Autumn Festival of 1978, and also exhibits use of the pentatonic scale. Symphony no. 7 (1990-1991) is described as darkness by some critics. Dedicated to all who brought the Berlin Wall down in peace, its second movement is a tribute to those who attempted escape, many of whom lost their lives. Symphony no. 14 makes use of several historical American tunes: the first movement is “Lamentation: Homage to Supply Belcher” (1750-1836); the second movement features the tune “Jargon” as homage to William Billings (1746-1800). The third movement, “The Lonesome Ones,” is an homage to Otto Luening (1900-1996).

CD cover for Gloria Coates, Symphonies nos. 1, 7, 14 (Naxos)

Hello world!

ralphhartsock — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:48:51 +0000

Welcome to this blog! For those wishing to find articles on the contemporary composer, Gloria Coates, please click on those links above or to the right. This list will be expanding in the future.