Born in London on August 15, 1875 to a white Englishwoman, who named for the famous Romantic poet—and with a father from Sierra Leone, descended from African slaves—Samuel Coleridge-Taylor would become the first musician in England of African descent to achieve international status. As a composer and conductor he would becomes a sensation in his native England—and this success would spread to America as well, where he made three different tours and became known as the "African Mahler."
Foley Schuler will be featuring the music of this fascinating composer on his afternoon program throughout the remainder of this month of the 150th anniversary of his birth. Check back here for updates, including individual works to be featured.
You can hear Foley Schuler's musical selections—and stories behind the music—every weekday afternoon from 1 until 4 on Blue Lake Public Radio.
