Retrospective: "The Black Composers Series"

Abstract

That statement appeared on the album covers of the 1974 releases. The next four issues bear a copyright date of 1975. These are to be followed by approximately four volumes per year through 1978, each annual issue of which is designed to represent both older and newer contributions of Black composers, according to information given with the four 1975 releases. The plan for the Series, then, was around twenty albums released during a five-year period. The first eight records collectively represent a true extension of standard repertoire, and many of the works individually are highly distinctive. The auspicious beginning of the Series remains just that, for the actual number of releases is drastically lower than the projected twenty. The number is nine. The lonely ninth album bears a 1978 copyright date. As of March 1981 none of these nine recordings was listed in the Schwann Catalog, although less than a year ago (July 1980), four were still listed as available and those were the first releases. While we can be