Composer finishes orchestral tribute to King
The Canadian Consulate in Minneapolis donated copies of a record entitled
"Memorial to Martin Luther King" to six community agencies in the Twin Cities
during the recent observance of the birth of the late Dr. King. The composition
was created by one of Canada's leading composers, Oskar Morawetz of Toronto.
Morawetz was deeply moved by the assassination of Dr. King in 1968 and decided that one of his works in progress (commissioned by renowned cellist Mstislav Rostropovich) would be dedicated to the
slain civil rights leader.
The composition is an eight-part work depicting the events surrounding Dr. King's death.
It opens with sharp dissonances expressing shock and dismay then gives way to the cello playing a sorrowful melodic line before harkening back to the Memphis freedom march and death. It continues with a somber funeral march, incorporating the
melody of Dr. King's favorite spiritual "Free at last," and concludes in an atmosphere of peace and resignation.
The recording features
Canadian cellist Zara Nelsova with the Radio-Canada Orchestra. Copies were given to the Afro-American Cultural Arts Center, Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Sabathani Community Center, Phyllis Wheatley
House, North Community High School and the Way Community Center.
