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H. Leslie Adams

Male | Composers

About

Leslie Adams (1932-2024)  has written many lovely songs for voice and piano in the forty years he has been composing professionally. Equally at ease writing for orchestra, chamber ensemble, organ, piano, and chorus, his treatment of art song is particularly praiseworthy. Important cycles include African-American Songs, with six texts by African-American poets, and The Wider View. Adams has set various poems by Cleveland native Joette McDonald. The importance of this collaboration is yet to be determined, but it does represent the most significant settings of her poetry. His stirringly expressive song, "For You There Is No Song" appears in Patterson's anthology. Subsequent to this publication, the song has become popular with young singers. It is listed individually in Villamil's Singer's Guide to the American Art Song. This song is part of a cycle of five poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay, entitled Millay Songs. It is particularly recommended.



Millay Songs was written in 1977 and is available from American Composers Alliance. There are two versions, one for high voice, the other for medium voice and piano. There songs are perhaps the finest of Adams' considerable catalog. The beautiful melodies of the voice are firmly supported by a piano accompaniment that is keenly reflective of the text. Millay's texts are, for the most part, melancholic. They express sentiments of the tedium of daily life, lost love, and lost opportunities. The penultimate song, "The Return From Town," is shocking in its contrast to the previous three songs. It, too, speaks of opportunities lost, but does so almost as a matter of jest (the text says, succinctly, "I saw someone fair. I ignored him and went into my own house. There I already have a handsome husband.")



Picturesque is the best word one may use to describe the piano treatment of these songs. Much like the songs of Schumann, the piano intercedes to complete fragments of thoughts where words fail. A fine pianist himself, Adams is very specific with markings. The voice part is written with sensitivity for the expressive powers of a lyric instrument. Decidedly, this composer knows how to maximize effects possible from singers. On high notes, time is given for the blossoming of tone. Lines are written for the voice in such a way as to encourage vowel-to-vowel singing, the framework necessary for true legato. There are some complexities here that will require specific attention if a unified ensemble is to prevail. The level of difficulty for this work is medium to medium high. It is a gratifying piece to perform.



Click here for information about Blake

Click here for art songs by H. Leslie Adams



Works

Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma



A Christmas wish, for SSAATTBB (1991).



A kiss in Xanadu, ballet in 3 scenes, for chamber orchestra (1954, rev. 1973)  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990..  Scenario: Richard McPhee.  Instrumentation: 2222, 4231, timp, cel, piano, harp, strings.  Première: 1954/IV/4; Oberlin, Hall Auditorium; David Daniels, conductor; Marilyn Adams, choreographer. Duration: 35:35. 



AT:  Cleveland Civic Orchestra; John Ross, conductor.



----- rev. 1974.



A white road, for low voice & piano (1961).



Afro-American songs.  see: Songs on texts of Afro-American poets.



Alone, for high voice & piano.



All the way, for chamber orchestra, incidental music for the play by Tad Mosel (1965).   Commission: Karamu Theater.  Première: 1965/IV/6; Cleveland, Karamu Theater; H. Leslie Adams, conductor.  Duration: 25:00.



Amazing grace, for high voice & piano (1992).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1992; Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 3:32.  Text: H. Leslie Adams.



      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.



7 Amen choral responses, for SATB (1953).



Asperges me, for soprano, elto, tenor, bass, SSAATTBB & organ (1952).



Blake, opera in 4 acts (1986).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990; Geneva OH: Henry Carl Music.  Text: Daniel E. Mayers, after Blake, by Martin Delany.  Cast: soprano (Miranda); soprano (Joanna Stevens); boy soprano==? (Little Joe); mezzo-soprano (Isabella Ballard); tenor (Blake); tenor (Andy); baritone (Jack); baritone (Major Frank Stevens); bass (Judge Whitney Ballard); chorus.  Commission: First Presbyterian Church of East Cleveland for its 190th anniversary.  Première: 1997/X/24; Baltimore, Municipal Opera Company; Sabrina Clark, Kelli Young, William Clark, Robert King, Sabrina Clark, Kelli Young, singers; Phadelma Ashley, stage director; Brian Bagley, choreographer; Charlene Moore Cooper, conductor.  Duration: 3:00:00.



----- Has he come?  O Miranda.



      CD: == Albany TROY 387 (==, Sence you went away).



----- That wild fire, for medium voice & piano.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 1984.  7p.



Break, break, break, for low voice & piano (1951). 



Christmas lullaby, for children’s chorus & orchestra (1993).  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Première: 1995; Cleveland Orchestra.  Duration: 5:00.



----- for SATB & piano.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.



----- for medium voice & piano.



CitiScape, for piano & orchestra (1964).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1981.



Concerto, piano (1966).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1981.  124p.  1. Allegro moderato; 2. Largo; 3. Allegro.  Duration: 20:00. Instrumentation: 2122 Eh (p), 4231, timp, cel, perc, piano solo, strings. 



----- 1976 revision.  New York: American Composers Alliance.  Première: 1976/III/7; wrence KS, University of Kansas, Swarthout Concert Hall; Richard Reber, piano; Kansas University Symphony Orchestra; George Lwarner, conductor.



      AT:  Richard Reber, piano; Kansas University Symphony; George Lawner, conductor (1976/III/07). 



Contrasts, for piano (1961).  20p.  Première: 1961.  Library: Library of Congress.



---- Romance, for orchestra. (1961).  Duration: 3:00.



Daybirth, for medium voice & piano (1994).  1. Anniversary song; 2. Daybirth; 3. Flying; 4. From a hotel room; 5. Love request; 6. Lullaby eternal; 7. Midas, poor Midas; 8. Song of thanks;  9. Song of the innkeeper’s children; 10. Song to the baby Jesus.  Text: Joette McDonald.  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1994; Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 2:59.



      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.



----- 1. Anniversary song, for high voice & piano (1992).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1993.



----- 9. Song of the innkeeper’s children, for medium voice & piano (1992).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1992.



Dunbar songs; 3 Songs on texts of Paul Laurence Dunbar, for high voice & chamber orchestra (1981).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1983.  1. The meadow lark; 2, He gave me a rose; 3. The valse.  Text: Paul Laurence Dunbar.  Commission: Ohio Chamber Orchestra for its 10th anniversary season.  Première: 1981/XI.22; Cleveland; Baldwin Wallace College; Janet Alcorn, soprano; Ohio Chamber Orchestra. 



----- Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.



AT: unidentified performers.



----- for high voice & piano.



----- 1. The meadow lark.  Première: 1982/III/13; New York, Church of the Intercession; Alpha Floyd, soprano; Opera Ebony Orchestra; Margaret Harris, conductor.  Duration: 5:00.



AT: unidentified siger, with chamber orchestra.



----- for high voice & piano (1980).  New York: American Composers Alliance. 



----- 3. The valse.



      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.  Duration: 4:34.



Etude, piano, no. 1, G minor (1977)  Readfield WI: Vivace Press, 1998.  Duration: 6:11.



      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.



Etude, piano, no. 2, G major.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 6:50.



      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.



Etude, piano, no. 3, A minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.   Duration: 4:24.



      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.



Etude, piano, no. 4, C major.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 1:51.



      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.



Etude, piano, no. 5, D minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration:  4:03.



      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.



Etude, piano, no. 6, D major.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 3:22.



      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.



Etude, piano, no. 7, B minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 2:37.



      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.



Etude, piano, no. 8, G-flat major.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 6:26.



      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.



Etude, piano, no. 9, B-flat minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 7:30.



      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.



Etude, piano, no. 10, D-flat major.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 7:25.



      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.



Etude, piano, no. 11, C-sharp minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 9:37.



      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.



Etude, piano, no. 12, E-flat minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 8:48.



      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.



 



Etude, piano, no. 14, A-flat minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.



Etude, piano, no. 15, F-sharp minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 2001. 6p.



Etude, piano, no. 16, C minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 2002.  7p.



Etude, piano, no. 17, D-sharp minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 2002.  14p.



Etude, piano, no. 18, B major.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 2002.  8p.



Etude, piano, no. 19 ==NEED KEYS



Etude, piano, no. 20



Etude, piano, no. 21



Etude, piano, no. 22



Flying, for high or medium voice & piano (1993).  New York: American Composers Aliance, 1993. Text: Joette McDonald.  Duration: 2:59.



From a hotel room, for high voice.  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1994.



----- for low voice & piano.



Hark to the shouting wind, for low voice & piano (1951).



Harlem love songs, SATB & piano.  11p.  Text: Langston Hughes.  Duration: 3:53.



Hosanna to the son of David, for SATB & piano (1969 == or 1973?).  New York: Walton Music Corporation, 1976.  15p. (Frank Pooler contemporary choral music, 2927).  Text: St. Matthew 21:8-9, St. Mark 11:8-10.  Duration: 3:00.



----- AT: University of Kansas Choir; James Rawlston, conductor.



Hymn to all nations, for SATB & piano (1997).  New York: American Composes Edition, 1997.  Commission: First Presbyterian Church, East Cleveland.  Première: 1997/XI/23; First Presbyterianm Church, East Cleveland.



Hymn to freedom, for soprano, tenor, baritone & chamber ensemble (1989)  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  1. When storms arise; 2. Lead gently, Lord.  Text: Paul Laurence Dunbar.  Commission: Borg-Warner Foundation for the Center for Black Music Research.   Duration: 12:00.



---- 2. Lead gently, Lord.  Duration: 7:00.  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990.  Première: 1989/X/13; St. Louis, Sheldon Concert Hall; Bernadine Oliphint, soprano; William Brown, tenor; Donnie Ray Albert, baritone; Black Music Repertory Ensemble; Michael Morgan, conductor.



      LP: Bernadine Oliphint, soprano; William Brown, tenor; Donnie Ray Albert, baritone; Black Music Repertory Ensemble; Michael Morgan, conductor (1989/10/13).  CMBR-001 (1990).



Infinitas, for organ.



Intermezzo, for violin & piano (1953).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1984.  Première: 1954.  Duration: 3:00.



Love come and gone, for high voice & piano.



Love expressions, for chamber orchestra (1990).  Madison OH: Carl Henry Music, 1990.  1. Love waltz; 2. Love ballad.  Commission: Cleveland Chamber Orchestra.



Love memory, for high or medium voice & piano (1990).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990.  Text: Paul Laurence Dunbar.  Duration: 4:35.



      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.



Love request, for high or medium voice & piano (1993).  New York: American Composers Alliance.



Love response, for medium voice & piano.  Text: Paul Laurence Dunbar.  Duration: 2:31.



      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).



Love song, for SATB & piano (1969).  Ft. Lauderdale: Music 70/80, 1982 (#M70-452).  11p.    Text: Langston Hughes.  Duration: 3:53.



Lullaby eternal, for high or medium voice & piano (1993).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1993. Text: Jotte McDonald.  Duration: 5:12.



      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.



Madrigal, for SATBB (1969 == or 1973).  Aurora CA: New Music, 1981 (NM-A-137).  5p.  Text: Take them and keep them, by T. Aldrich.  Duration: 2:10.



----- for SATB.  Grand Rapids MI: Maleki’s Music (NM A-127).  8p.



Man's presence; A song of ecology, for children's chorus (2 part) & piano (1974).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990.  Commission: Broken Arrow Elementary Schoo, Lawrence KS.  Première: Lawrence KS; 1974; Broken Arrow Elementary School Chorus.



Midas, poor Midas, for high voice.  New York: American Compers Alliance, 1994.



5 Millay songs, 5 Songs on texts of Edna St. Vincent Millay, for high voice & piano (1960).   New York: American Composers Alliance, 1988.  23p.  1. Wild swans; 2. Branch by branch; 3. For you there is no song; 4. The return from town; 5. Gone again is summer the lovely.  Original title: Songs of love and likelihood.  Text: Edna St. Vincent Millay.  Commission: Accord Associates.  Duration: 15:00.  Library: Library of Congress.



----- Madison OH: Carl Henry Music.



      CD: == Albany TROY 387 (==, Sence you went away).



----- for medium voice & orchestra (1987).  Première: 1988/I/24; Cleveland; Accord Community Orchestra; Hilda Harris, mezzo-soprano; Dwight Oltman, conductor.



---- 2. Branch by branch.



      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.



---- 3. For you there is no song.  New York: Edward B. Marks, 1977 (Anthology of art songs by Black American composers, ed. by Willis Patterson).  Duration: 2:34.



      AC: George Neely, baritone; Patricia Springer, piano (Morgan State University).



      ??: Dawn Padmore, soprano; Darryl Hollister, piano (Churchill College, University of Cambridge, 2003/VIII/4).



      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.



      CD: Odikhiren== SPL? Amaize, bass-baritone; David Korevaar, piano.  Musicians’ Showcase MS 1011 (2000; The Negro speaks of rivers; art songs by African-American composers).



      CD: ==; University of Texas, David Garvey Memorial Fung (1994).



LP: Hilda Harris, mezzo-soprano, with unidentified pianist. .  University of Michigan SM-0015 (1980; Art songs by Black American composers).



----- for SATB.



---- 4. The return from town.



      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.



Night, for low voice & piano (1951).



Night song, for flute & harp (1983).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1986.  Première: 1989. Duration: 3:00.



Night song; Night music, for flute & harp (1983).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1986.  Première: 1989/III/13; Brooklyn, Brooklyn Academy of Music; Paula Bing, flute; Stacey G. Shames, harp.  Duration: 4:00.



Night song, for SATB (1974).  Duration: 3:00.



Night song, for flute & harp (1984).  New York: American Composers Alliance.  Duration: 3:00.



Nightsongs; 6 Songs on texts by Afro-American poets; Afro-American songs, for high voice & piano (1961).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1988.  1. Prayer [text: Langston Hughes];  2. Drums of tragedy [original title: Fantasy in purple] (text: Langston Hughes); 3. The heart of a woman [text: Georgia Douglas Johnson]; 4. Night song [text: Clarissa Scott Delany];  5. Sence you went away [text: James Weldon Johnson]; 6. Creole girl [text: Leslie Morgan Collins].   Original title: Songs on texts by Afro-American poets; Afro-American songs.  Duration: 17:00. 



AT:  Gloria Schafran, mezzo-soprano; Leslie Adams, piano.



CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.



----- for medium voice & orchestra (1987).  New York; American Composers Alliance (score); Geneva OH:  Henry Carl Music, 1988.  Commission: Afro-American Songs of American Composers Alliance and Accord Associates.  Première: 1988/I/24; Cleveland; Accord Community Orchestra;’Hilda Harris, mezzo-soprano; Dwight Oltman, conductor.



----- 1. Prayer, for SATB.  New York: American Composers Alliance,. 5p.



----- 3. The heart of a woman.



      AT: Ben Holt, baritone; Cliff Jackson, piano (1984, Peabody Conservatoiry of Music).



      ----- for SATB & piano.  New York: American Composers Allance.  6p.



----- 4. Sence you went away.



      : Faye Cheatham, soprano; Wallace Cheatham, piano (2003/VIII/04, Churchill College, University of Cambridge).



      CD: == Albany TROY 387 (==, Sence you went away).



      ----- for SATB & piano.



----- 6. Creole girl.



      AT: Ben Holt, baritone; Cliff Jackson, piano (1984, Peabody Conservatoiry of Music).



      ----- fir SATB & piano.  New York: American Composers Alliance.  15p.



Ode to life, for orchestra (1979).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1983.  Commission: Cuyahoga Community Coillege, for its 15th anniversary.  Première: 1979/III/13; Cuyahoga Community College, Metro Campus Auditorium; Cleveland Civic Orchestra; John Ross, conductor.  Duration: 12:00.



----- rev. 1983.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Première: 1983/I/16; Cleveland, Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra..



      CD: Prague Radio Symphony; Julius P. Williams, conductor.  Albany TROY 431 (2000; Shades of blue; Symphonic works by African American Composers).



Of man’s first disobedience, for low voice & piano (1951).  Text: Paradise lost.



Offering of love, for organ (1991).  New York: American Composers Alliance; Westlake OH: Henry Carl Music, 1992.  Commission: American Guild of Organists for the Biennial National Convention, Atlanta, 1992.



On the sea, for low voice & piano (1953).



Pastorale, for violin & piano (1952).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1984; Westlake OH: Henry Carl Music, 1992.  Première: 1954/V/2; Oberlin Conservatry, Warner Hall; Larrie Moore, violin; Richard Fiske, piano.  Duration: 5:00.



4 Pieces, for piano (1951).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1983.  1. A Spanish caprice; 2. By the brookside; 3. Waltz; 4. Sad story.



Prayer, for SAATB ==?chorus (SATB?  YEAR?



Prelude and fugue, organ (1978).  Pullman WA: Vivace Press, 1998 (VIV 342, 20p.); New York: American Composers Alliance.  Duration: 7:00.  Première: Kansas Composers Forum. == NEED KEY



Prelude and fugue, organ (1979).  Readfield WI: Vivace Press, 1998. .  Commission: Kansas Composers Forum, Kansas Music Teachers Association.  Première: 1980.  == NEED KEY



3 Preludes, piano (1961).  New York: American Composers Alliance.  10p.  1. Allegretto deciso; 2. Andante e poco rubato; 3. Allegro ma non tanto.  Duration: 4:00.



Psalm 23; The Lord is my shepherd, for soprano, alto, tenor, baritone & SATB with optional piano (1969).  New York: American Composers Alliance.  Duration: 8:00.



      ----- for SATB.  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990.



Psalm 121; I will lift up mine eyes, for soprano, alto, tenor, bass & SATB with piano reduction (1969).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1983.  16p.  Award: Christian Arts 1974 National Competition for Choral Compositions.  Duration: 8:00.



Quartet, strings, D-flat major (2003).  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 2003.  1. Larghetto appasiionato; Andante; 2. Andante calmato; 3. Andantino giocoso; 4. Molto marcato.  Première: 2004/III/07; Black River String Quartet.  Duration: 28:20.



      CD: [Black River String Quartet?] (2004). 



Quartet, trombones (1975).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990.  Première: 1977.  Duration: 11:00.



Rememb’ring, rejoicing, for SATB & piano.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 1984. 15p. Text: Joette McDonald.



Sarabande, for string quartet (1951).  Duration: 3:00.



Sonata, horn & piano (1960; Empire sonata).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1962.  86p. 1. Moderato; 2. Largo; 3. Allegretto; 4. Allegro.   86p.  Duration: 45:00. Première: 1961.



----- 2.  Largo.  New York: Associated Music Publishers.  DATE==



Sonata, violin & piano (1961).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1982.   1. Allegro; 2. Lento; 3. Allegro.  Duration: 20:00.  Première: 1961.



Sonata, violoncello & piano (1965; rev. 1974).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1981.  1. Moderato; 2. Lento; 3. Allegro.  Première: 1978/I/8; Lawrence KS, University of Kansas, Swarthout Recital Hall; Edward Laut, cello; H. Leslie Adams, piano.  Duration: 20:00.



----- 1.  Moderato.



AT:  Barbara Harris, cello; Leslie Adams, piano.



----- 2. Lento.



AT:  Barbara Harris, cello; Leslie Adams, piano.



Song of thanks, for low or medium voice (1993).  New York: Americxan Composers Alliance, 1993.



Song to baby Jesus, for high or medium voice & piano (1992).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1992.



Symphony, no. 1 (1982).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1983.  Contents: 4 movements.   Commission: University of Kansas Faculty Research Grant, Clevland Foundation, Karamu House, Rockefeller Foundation, Conference Center, Bellagio; National Endowment of the Arts/  Duration: 43:00.  Instrumentation: 2222, p, Eh, 2 bcl, 4321, timp, perc, cel, harp, strings.









 


----- Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.



Under the greenwood tree, for SATB (1973). New York: American

Composers Alliance. 4p.  Text: William Shakespeare.  Duration: 2:28.



Tall tales, for SATB & piano (1973).  12p.  Text: Edward Lear.  Duration: 3:00.









 


The Congo, for readers, speakers & percussion (1955).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990.  Duration: 20:00.


The constant lover, for medium voice & piano (1951).



1. Invocation; Blessed is the man; 2. Lamentation; Look long upon his dying; 3.Exaltation; Rise, rise O whirling, flaming sun; 4. Benediction; Look long upon his living face. Commission: Paul Kaye Singers.  Text: Daniel Ma The righteous man; Cantata, no. 1, to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King   Première: 1986/I/19; Minneapolis, University of Minnesota, Northup Memorial Auditorium; Paul Keye Singers; orchestra; Paul Kaatrud, conductor.  Duration: 25:00, for SATB & chamber orchestra (1984).  New York:



----- for SATB & piano.



The wider view, for high voice & piano (1988).  1. To the road! [text: Paul Laurence Dunbar]; 2. Homesick blues [text: Langston Hughes]; 3. Li’l gal [text: Paul Laurence Dunbar, also known as My man]; 4. Love come and gone [Text: Georgia Douglas Johnson]; 5. The wider view [text: R. H. Grenville]; 6. Love rejoices [text: James Diller Freeman].  Duration: 23:00.



      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; American Composers Alliance; Cleveland: Blake Productions, 1986.  68p.  Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.









 


 


----- 3. My man, for high or medium voice.  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1998.



Teach me, O Lord, for low voice & piano (1951).  Text: Psalm 119.



Theme and variations, for piano(1953; On a serious theme).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1983.  Première: 1961.



There was an old man,  for SATB & piano (1970 == or 1973?).  Fort Lauderdale: Music 70/80, 1985 (#M70-448).  12p.  Text: Edward Lear.  Duration: 3:50.



      AT:  University of Kansas Chorus; James Rawlston, conductor.



Turn away mine eyes, for low voice & piano (1951).



Under the greenwood tree, for SATB (1969).  New York: American Composers,  Alliance, 1983(M70-488).  4p. Text: William Shakespeare, As you like it.  Duration: 2:28.



2 Vachel Lindsay songs, for low voice & piano (1953).  1. The leaden-eyed; 2. Factory windows.



Vocalise, for SATB & 2 bassoons or 2 cellos, with optional soprano, alto, tenor & bass (1973).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990.  15p.  Duration: 6:40.



Wave and the shore, for soprano & piano.  Text:  Joette McDonald.  Première: 2003/VI/17; Cleveland; Spaces Art Gallery; Artist Apprentices of The Lyric Opera of Cleveland, Patricia Rhiew, soprano.



We shall overcome,for voice &  SATB (1982).  New York: American Composers Alliance.  6p.



Western adventure, for orchestra (1994).  New York: American Composers Alliance; Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 1994.  1. Cowboy’s race across the plains; 2. Past an Indian village; 3. The grand cattle roundup.  Commission: Cleveland Orchestra.



What love brings, for high or medium voice & piano (1991).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1992..



 



Bibliography

Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma



“Leslie Adams” in Sonorities in Black music; A concert series, first concert, 12 December 1978, ed. by Dominique-René de Lerma.  Baltimore: Morgan State University, 1978, p6-7.



Ode to life: Symphony will perform Ohio artist’s composition” in Urbana daily citizen (1980/I/17).



“Opera première for Leslie Adams” in Symphonium, v3n2 (1991/spring) p6. [Blake]



“Piano soloist to play Springfield concert” in Springfield news-sun [OH] (1980/I/13).



Anderson, Ruth"Leslie Adams, composer." in Contemporary American composers; A biographical dictionary.  2nd ed.  Boston: G. K. Hall, 1982.



Anderson, Stan.  “Cleveland press” in Cleveland plain dealer (1965/IV/7).  [All the way].



Banfield, William C.  Landscapes in color; Conversations with Black American composers.  Landham MD.: Scarecrow Press, 2003.  xvi, 380p.  ISBN 0-8108-3706-4. 



Black music research journal,  Index



Black perspective in music,  v3n1, p132; v6n2, p239; v12n1, p145; v13n1, p127; v14n1, p58, 81; v17, p196, 198; v18, p242.



Blacks in the performing arts



Bull, Storm.  Index to biographies of contemporary composers, vol. 3.   Metuchen: Scarecrow Press, 1987.   xxiv, 854p.  ISBN 0-8108-1930-9.



Carter, Madison H.  An annotated catalogue of composers of African ancestry.  New York: Vantage Press, 1986. (1933-)



Cattell, Jacques, ed.  Who's Who in American music; Classical.  2nd ed.  New York: ==



Center for Black Music Research.  Digest, v2n2, p3, 11; v3n2, p3; v3n3, p4.



Childs, Linda D.  The solo vocal works of Leslie Adams; A descriptive catalogue and commentary.  Graduate paper (D.M.A.) Arizana State University, 1997.



Con brio v1n3



Dawkins, Darlene.  "Leslie Adams, composer; A man and his music." in Clubdate [Cleveland]v8n2 (1987/fall) p48-52.



Fain, Kenneth.  “Artists and their art; Composers” in Cultural post; National Endowment for the arts (1979/V-VI).



Finn, Robert.  "Romantic American drama stirs work on opera" in Cleveland plain dealer (1983/I).



Finn, Robert.  “Local composer’s Ode to life assured of success” in Plain dealer [Cleveland] (1979/V/11).



Finn, Robert.  “Slave rebellion before Civil War stirs work on opera” in Plain dealer [Cleveland] (1983/I/01) pB7.  [Blake]



Forte, Roland.  “Local composer featured in American visions” in Showtime [Cleveland] (1996/IX/12).



Gamble, Ranelle A., ed.  The H. Leslie Adams Fan Club.  Cleveland Heights 44118:3370 Seaton Road [2003-].



Gray, John.  "Leslie Adams, composer."  Blacks in Classical music; A bibliographical guide to composers, performers and ensembles.  Westport: Greenwood Press, 1988 (The music reference collection, 15)



Green-Crocheron, Karen.  "Meet composer Leslie Adams." in Galore magazine [Cleveland] (1982/V), p31.



Grove, 2nd ed.



Holly, Ellistine Perkins.  Bibliographies of Black composers and songwriters; A supplementary textbook.  Dubuque: Wm. C. Brown Publishers, 1990, p. 56-57.



Horne, Aaron.  String music by Black American composers.  Westport: Greenwood Press, 1991 (Music reference collection, no. 33).  xx, 327p.  Foreword by Dominique-René de Lerma.  ISBN 0-313-27938-1. +



Horne, Aaron.  Woodwind music by Black American composers.  Westport: Greenwood Press, 1990, p9. (Adams, Leslie H., 1933-)



International who's who in music and musicians' directory.  12th ed. == 1991.



Kay 1988



Lerma, Dominique-René de.  Symposium of symphonic music by Black composers, Houston, September 3-7, 1974.  n.p.: 1974.  24p.



Matney, William C.  Who’s who among Black Americans.  2nd ed.  Northbrook: Who’s Who Among Black Americans, 1978., 1981



Musical America 1979.



Musician’s directory



NANM 1991



Neilson 1982



New Grove dictionary of music and musicians, 2nd ed.



Performing arts 1981



Perry, Richard M.  “Composer’s fans hope you keep this story quiet” in Plain dealer [Cleveland] (2002/XII/27) p44.



Roach, Hildred.  "Composer Leslie Adams" in Black American music, past and present. Malabar, Fl.:  Robert E. Kreiger Publishing Co., 1985, v2,  p72-3.



Rosenberg, Donald.  “Concert celebrates individuality, too” in Plain dealer [Cleveland] (1994/III/20). [Love song. Hosanna to the Son of David. Madrigal. The righteous man]



Sherwood, Gayle.  “Adams, Leslie” in International dictionary of Black composers, ed by Samuel A. Floyd, Jr.  Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn, 1999, v1, p17-22.



Sonneck Society bulletin v16n3



Symphonium v2n2; v3n1;v4n2; v5n2



Trotter, Herman.  “Words and music weave a fitting tribute to Dr. King” in Buffalo news (1983/I/24) pB9.  [Ode to life]



Tuck, Lon.  “Evelyn White Chorale” in Washington post (1982/XI/02).



Turner, Diana.  “Leslie Adams, composer” in Call and post [Cleveland] v6n6 (1983/X/17).



White, Evelyn Davidson.  Choral music by Afro-American composers; A selected, annotated bibliography.  2nd ed.  Metuchen: Scarecrow Press, 1996.  viii, 126p.  ISBN 0-8108-3037-X.  First edition issued by Scarecrow in 1981:



Who's who classical 1983, 1987



Who's who in America, 2000.



Who's who in entertainment.  Wilmette IL:  Macmillan Directory Division, 1990.



Williams, Yvonne C.  “Leslie Adams and the making of the opera Blake; An interview with the composer” in New perspectives on music; Esssays in honor of Eileen Southern, ed. by Samuel A. Floyd Jr. and Josephine Wright.  Warren MI: Harmonie Park Press, 1992.



Wyatt, Lucius.  “Leslie Adams” in Black music research newsletter, v7n1 (1984/fall) p3-4.



 


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