Robert Nathaniel Dett(1882-1943)

Background

One of several pioneering African American composers who devoted himself of propagating black
folk song, especially the Negro spiritual

Born in Drummondville, Ontario, Canada; Moved to Niagara Falls, NY when he was 14.

During 1903 to 1908, studied composition and piano at Oberlin Conservatory

Heard music of Anton Dvořák

In 1932, acquainted MM degree in composition from the Eastman School of Music

Major works:

In the Bottoms(1913) , a suite for piano

Including five movements;

1. Prelude (Night)
Connection with Debussy
Decending pentatonic scales,
2. His Song
D minor harmonic scales as motif.
3. Honey (Humoresque)
Love-song, syncopated rhythm
4. Barcarolle (Morning)
Long-short-long-short rhythm
5. Dance (Juba)
One of the most played pieces from Dett. Shared same motif with No.4 D-C-G-E

Eight Bible Vignettes (1941–1943)—his final piano suite.

Separate as two groups:

1-4 from Old Testament, 5-8 from New Testament.

Central character of first group: “Abraham”

Second group: Jesus