Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) was a prolific and pioneering English composer and conductor of mixed-race heritage, whose work left an indelible mark on the classical music world. Born in London to an English mother and a Sierra Leonean father, he showed prodigious musical talent from a young age. He studied at the Royal College of Music, where his composition professor, Charles Villiers Stanford, recognized his potential, encouraging him to look to African music for inspiration – a suggestion that later influenced his most famous work, "Hiawatha's Wedding Feast," part of the cantata trilogy "The Song of Hiawatha."

Notwithstanding the racial prejudices he often faced, Coleridge-Taylor was highly respected by contemporaries, including the celebrated composer Edward Elgar. His output was varied and included chamber works, anthems, and orchestral pieces, though he is perhaps best remembered for his choral compositions which often integrated African melodies and narratives. These recent releases of Coleridge-Taylor's works, including arrangements for various instruments and voice, indicate a resurgent interest in his music and a reevaluation of his contribution to the repertoire of Western classical music. Despite his tragically short life—he died at just 37—Coleridge-Taylor's legacy continues to grow as musicians and audiences alike rediscover the beauty and originality of his compositions.

Genres

Light Music

Post-romantic Era

Victorian Britain

Related Artists

Edward Elgar

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Gustav Holst

Charles Villiers Stanford

William Grant Still

Hubert Parry

Johannes Brahms

Frederick Delius

George Butterworth

Percy Grainger

Frank Bridge

Fela Sowande

Latest Release

Coleridge-Taylor: Five Negro Melodies for Piano Trio: II. I was way down a-yonder

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Single - Released June 21, 2024