|
|
"I segued from Swing Low Sweet Chariot
to Betty Jackson King's Ride Up in the Chariot. It is a beautiful and lively
arrangement. I had the honor of meeting Ms. King following the Carnegie concert! I am very
grateful to Ms. King for her wonderful gift of Music." "I followed Betty as president of the National
Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. I learned much from her administration. Making music
with her was a delight." "The solo songs of Betty Jackson King (which consist
of art songs, sacred songs, and spiritual arrangements) have wonderfully singable
melodies, lush harmonies and pianistic accompaniments. There seems to be a prevailing
spirit of optimism particularly in the spiritual arrangements and sacred music. Ride Up
In The Chariot with its highly syncopated, traditional church accompaniment, spirited
text and dramatic ending, was my first exposure to a Betty Jackson King. arrangement.
After learning and repeatedly performing that glorious piece (which always brings the
house down), I wanted to learn more music by this gifted composer. I believe others who
explore and perform this music will have a similarly rewarding experience." Four Seasonal Sketches reflects Betty Jackson
King's love of writing program music. The work is very accessible, technically and
musically, and the performer is encouraged to enter into her imaginative world through the
titles of the pieces and musical images. Composed in 1955, Four Seasonal Sketches reveals
a musical language, which combines traditional and neoromantic harmonics with distinctive,
memorable melodies - for example, in "Spring Intermezzo" and "Summer
Interlude" a flowing, arpeggiated left hand provides evocative harmonies, adding a
wistfulness to the simple right hand melodies. All the pieces contain a wide
variety of rhythmic patterns, including syncopation and jazz-inspired rhythms which seem
to 'jump out' at unexpected moments as in "Autumn Dance". This piece also
demonstrates Betty Jackson King's melodic inventiveness, as she presents the opening
melody in various guises above a perpetual ostinato in the left hand. "Winter
Holiday" demonstrates her ability to fully utilize the range of the keyboard. Its
dramatic conclusion is a joyful, exuberant outburst that contrasts to the introspective
opening of the whole work. For me as a pianist, Betty Jackson King's Four Seasonal Sketches
make a wonderful addition to a recital program, with immediate appeal to all
generations of audience. Her love for music and the desire to share its
beauty, transcended all racial and cultural boundaries even with the fervor she pursued to
keep alive ethnic classics from our African American forebearers. Betty Jackson King has
become to us the embodiment of music. She was an inspiration to everyone That she
encountered. I shall always remember Betty for sharing her expertise
with me in choral directing. She was always so loving and willing to share her knowledge
with others.
|
