James Lee III: Recuerdos Diaspóricos
world premiere recording
released July 8, 2022
Cover art: Brittany Symone | web site
Publisher: Subito Music Corporation | buy sheet music online
Composer’s note
“Recuerdos Diaspóricos” is Spanish for Diasporic Memories. This work was composed for the virtuoso Cuban pianist Adonis Gonzalez. As the title suggests, this work is a reference to diaspora communities and in particular, the African diaspora. The music takes one on a journey of rhythmic fantasy and images inspired by various African diaspora communities in North and South America, the Caribbean, and other parts of Latin America. The opening rising gesture suggests a brilliant sunrise with energetic expectations and anticipations of what the day promises. Immediately after the opening measure, a drumbeat is heard. This drumbeat becomes the principal motive of the work. This motive is manipulated in various ways as it intertwines with festive scenes of the life of individuals in the African diaspora. The music hints at carnivals, dancing, and general merrymaking. In regards to formal structure, Recuerdos Diaspóricos hints at a sonata form with the obvious presentation of contrasting themes. However, there is also an improvisatory and rhapsodic nature present. The slowest section is set in a harmonic structure where the note “b” serves as a tonal center. This part of the work is a musical commentary on the social and economic struggles and challenges of people of African descent. In spite of this, the principal rhythmic motive refuses to be marginalized, but is almost continuously present. Toward the end of the music, fond memories of the festivities return to the mind before sunset and nightfall in which the music finally ends.”
–James Lee III
James Lee III
James Lee III, born 1975 in St. Joseph, Michigan cites as his major composition teachers Michael Daugherty, William Bolcom, Bright Sheng, Betsy Jolas, Susan Botti, Erik Santos and James Aikman. As a composition fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center in the summer of 2002, he added Osvaldo Golijov, Michael Gandolfi, Steven Mackey and Kaija Saariaho to his roster of teachers, and studied conducting with Stefan Asbury.
Since Dr. Lee’s graduation with a D.M.A. in composition from the University of Michigan in 2005, his orchestral works have been commissioned and premiered by the National Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony Orchestra, and the orchestras of Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Omaha, Pasadena, Memphis, Grand Rapids, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Akron, and have been conducted by such artists as Leonard Slatkin, Marin Alsop, Michael Tilson Thomas, Juanjo Mena, David Lockington, Thomas Wilkins, and others.
During the 2021-2022 season, Sukkot Through Orion’s Nebula will be performed by the New World Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in October. Also in October, world premieres of new works include Amer’ican, which will be premiered by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Niiji Memories, a flute concerto will be premiered by Julietta Curenton and the Columbia Orchestra. In November the Calyx Piano Trio will premiere Dr. Lee’s Tones of Clay at Tanglewood. Later in November, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra will perform his Emotive Transformations. Other world premieres in early 2022 include Freedom’s Genuine Dawn to be premiered by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in January, Arukah Symphony to be premiered by the Maryland Symphony Orchestra in February, Hold On, America, Hold On! to be premiered by the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra and Violin Concerto No. 2 “Teshuah” to be premiered by violinist Carla Trynchuk and the Andrews University Symphony Orchestra in March. In April, Tethered Voices will be premiered by the University Symphony Orchestra at the University of Michigan and a new work for soprano and string quartet that will be premiered by Karen Slack and the Pacifica String Quartet at Carnegie Hall in New York and Shriver Hall in Baltimore in May. James Lee III is a Professor of Music at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD.
James Lee III’s web site: https://www.jameslee3music.com