R. Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943)
Background
Canadian classical Composer, but spend most of his life in the United States. Published approximately 100 compositions in piano, vocal and choral forms. Incorporated traditional Black folk music and spirituals in his works.
R. Nathaniel Dett is known for using African-American spirituals as the basis for choral and piano compositions of the 19th century style of Classical music.
Legacy
Widely recognized for his fusion of European romantic music and African-American spirituals. Canada’s Nathaniel Dett Chorale (est. 1998) performed his music along with other African-American composers. He did very little of his own recordings, yet his selections still survive today. Authored The Emancipation of Negro Music, which won him a literary prize at Harvard.
Learn More
Library of Congress – R. Nathaniel Dett Biography
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BLHNQK8V7E[/embedyt]
The Nathaniel Dett Chorale – Listen to the Lambs
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhjJo3zsixk[/embedyt]
Source:
R. Nathaniel Dett 1882 to 1943. Online Text. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200038840/. (Accessed November 01, 2017.)
