Adolphus Hailstork's Newly Premiered "TULSA 1921"

The world premiere was performed during a concert commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, at New York's Greene Space on June 19, 2021

Composer Adolphus Hailstork recently talked with The Violin Channel about his new work.

The inspiration behind the work was the Tulsa Massacre of 1921. The piece was commissioned by the Harlem ChamberPlayers — "an ethnically diverse collective of professional musicians dedicated to bringing high-caliber, affordable and accessible live classical music to people in the Harlem community and beyond."

In his personal process of composing, Hailstork used the libretto prepared by Dr. Herbert Woodward Martin, the prize-winning poet, performer, playwright, singer, opera librettist, professor, and scholar.

Upon listening to his music, Hailstork hopes listeners will better understand the Tulsa Massacre and the racial issues prevalent still in our society today.

ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK | TULSA 1921 | J'NAI BRIDGES | HARLEM CHAMBER PLAYERS | 2021