ritadove

In Episode 14 of Unorchestrated, Christopher and Tom conclude their conversation with Rita Dove, discussing her research into the life of George Bridgetower and the poetry she wrote about him. As in every episode, Rita reads from her book, Sonata Mulattica. We also welcome special guest, violinist Dr. Nicole Cherry, to discuss her Forge with George project, a commissioning project bringing long-overdue attention to historically significant Black artists.

This is the final episode in our 14-part series, Sonata Mulattica with Rita Dove.

The episode closes with Jubilee, composed in 1809 by George Bridgetower in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the reign of King George III, performed by six of the Akron Symphony’s principal musicians.

Rita Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winner, former U.S. Poet Laureate, and the only poet ever honored with both the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts. An Akron native, she is currently Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Nicole Cherry is 2nd violinist of the Marian Anderson String Quartet, and Assistant Professor of Violin at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Performance materials of Jubilee were made available through the kindness and generosity of Dr. Nicole Cherry. For information on her Forge with George project, dedicated to restoring the legacy of great artists of color like George Bridgetower who have been dismissed from our history books, please visit: https://nicolecherryviolin.com/.

George Bridgetower Photo © The British Museum

In Episode 13 of Unorchestrated, Christopher and Tom talk with poet Rita Dove about one of the most bizarre chapters in musical history, in an episode titled Haydn’s Skull, with readings from her book, Sonata Mulattica.

This is the 13th episode in our 14-part series, Sonata Mulattica with Rita Dove.

The episode closes with “Chaos” from Haydn’s The Creation, performed by the Akron Symphony on April 19, 2008.

Rita Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winner, former U.S. Poet Laureate, and the only poet ever honored with both the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts. An Akron native, she is currently Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

In Episode 12 of Unorchestrated, Christopher and Tom speak with poet Rita Dove about the relationship between poetry and music in her work generally, and how Beethoven’s music shaped one particular poem in her book, Sonata Mulattica.

This is the 12th episode in our 14-part series, Sonata Mulattica with Rita Dove.

The episode closes with a performance of the final two movements of the “Kreutzer” sonata by ASO Concertmaster Tallie Brunfelt and pianist Nathaniel LaNasa. 

Rita Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winner, former U.S. Poet Laureate, and the only poet ever honored with both the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts. An Akron native, she is currently Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

In Episode 11 of Unorchestrated, Christopher and Tom talk with poet Rita Dove about Billy Waters, a marginalized street musician of African descent who, despite all odds, rose to great prominence in 19th century London, with readings from her book, Sonata Mulattica.

This is the 11th episode in our 14-part series, Sonata Mulattica with Rita Dove.

The episode closes with an excerpt from Clint Needham's Sounds of Akron, which incorporates sounds sent in by scores of Akron residents, and a performance of Amazing Grace by Celeste Hicks, a member of the Gospel Meets Symphony Choir. The Akron Symphony’s Sounds of Akron concert took place on April 16, 2016.

Rita Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winner, former U.S. Poet Laureate, and the only poet honored with both the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts. An Akron native, she is currently Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

(Photo courtesy of W.W. Norton & Company)

In Episode 10 of Unorchestrated, Christopher and Tom talk with poet Rita Dove about the rapid dissolution of the friendship between George Bridgetower and Beethoven—and likely explanations for the unraveling—with readings from her book, Sonata Mulattica.

This is the 10th episode in our 14-part series, Sonata Mulattica with Rita Dove.

The episode closes with the funeral march from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 “Eroica,” performed by the Akron Symphony in April of 2019.

Rita Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winner, former U.S. Poet Laureate, and the only poet honored with both the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts. An Akron native, she is currently Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

In Episode 9 of Unorchestrated, Christopher and Tom talk with poet Rita Dove about her belief that the composition and premiere of the “Kreutzer” sonata were shaped by George Bridgetower’s unique performing style, with readings from her book, Sonata Mulattica. 

This is the ninth episode in our 14-part series, Sonata Mulattica with Rita Dove.

The episode closes with a performance of the first movement of Beethoven’s “Kreutzer” Sonata by ASO Concertmaster Tallie Brunfelt and pianist Nathaniel LaNasa. 

Rita Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winner, former U.S. Poet Laureate, and the only poet honored with both the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts. An Akron native, she is currently Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

(Photo courtesy of W.W. Norton & Company)

In Episode 8 of Unorchestrated, co-hosts Christopher and Tom talk with poet Rita Dove about string playing, ballroom dancing, and the process of writing - both music and poetry - with readings from her book, Sonata Mulattica. 

This is the eighth episode in our 14-part series, Sonata Mulattica with Rita Dove.

The episode closes with a performance of the first movement of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto by the ASO and guest artist Feng Ning. 

Rita Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winner and former U.S. Poet Laureate, and the only poet honored with both the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts. An Akron native, she is currently Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

(Photo of Rita Dove by Fred Viebahn)

In Episode 7 of Unorchestrated, co-hosts Christopher and Tom talk with poet Rita Dove about the diverse music scene in early 19th century London, with a reading of “Janissary Rap” from her book, Sonata Mulattica. 

This is the seventh episode in our 14-part series, Sonata Mulattica with Rita Dove.

The episode closes with a performance of Mozart’s Turkish Rondo, transcribed for organ by ASO keyboardist Bob Mollard and arranger David Kempers.

Rita Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winner and former U.S. Poet Laureate, and the only poet honored with both the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts. An Akron native, she is currently Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

(Photo of Rita Dove by Fred Viebahn)

In Episode 6 of Unorchestrated, co-hosts Christopher and Tom talk with poet Rita Dove about Joseph Haydn’s arrival in London, with readings from her book, Sonata Mulattica. 

This is the sixth episode in our 14-part series, Sonata Mulattica with Rita Dove.

The episode closes with a performance of the finale from Haydn’s Symphony No. 95 in C minor by the Akron Symphony Orchestra.

Rita Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winner and former U.S. Poet Laureate, and the only poet honored with both the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts. An Akron native, she is currently Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

In Episode 5 of Unorchestrated, co-hosts Christopher and Tom talk with poet Rita Dove about violinist George Bridgetower’s early life in London as a child prodigy, with readings from her book, Sonata Mulattica. 

This is the fifth episode in our 14-part series, Sonata Mulattica with Rita Dove.

The episode closes with a brilliant performance of Paganini’s Duo for One Violin by ASO guest artist Feng Ning. 

Rita Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winner and former U.S. Poet Laureate, and the only poet honored with both the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts. An Akron native, she is currently Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

(Photo of Rita Dove by Fred Viebahn)

In Episode 4 of Unorchestrated, co-hosts Christopher and Tom talk with poet Rita Dove about violinist George Bridgetower’s debut in Paris from her book of poems, Sonata Mulattica.

This is the fourth episode in our 14-part series, Sonata Mulattica with Rita Dove.

The episode closes with a performance of Joseph Boulogne’s Sonata for Flute and Harp, performed by ASO principal players, Barbara O’Brien, flute, and Jody Guinn, harp.

Rita Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winner and former U.S. Poet Laureate, and the only poet honored with both the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts. An Akron native, she is currently Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

(Photo of Rita Dove by Fred Viebahn)

In Episode 3 of Unorchestrated, co-hosts Christopher and Tom talk with poet Rita Dove about the prodigy years of violinist George Bridgetower from her book of poems, Sonata Mulattica.

This is the third episode in our 14-part series, Sonata Mulattica with Rita Dove.

The episode closes with a performance of Haydn’s Duo for violin & viola in F major, performed by two members of the Akron Symphony, Pablo Sanchez-Pazos, violin, and Maia Hoffman, viola.

Rita Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winner and former U.S. Poet Laureate, and the only poet honored with both the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts. An Akron native, she is currently Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

(Photo of Rita Dove by Fred Viebahn)

In Episode 2 of Unorchestrated, co-hosts Christopher and Tom talk with poet Rita Dove about the early life of violin virtuoso George Bridgetower from her book of poems, Sonata Mulattica.

This is the second episode in our 14-part series, Sonata Mulattica with Rita Dove.

The episode closes with a performance by Akron Symphony Assistant Concertmaster Amy Cave of the Largo and Allegro assai movements from Bach’s Violin Sonata No. 3 in C major.

Rita Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winner and former U.S. Poet Laureate, and the only poet honored with both the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts. An Akron native, she is currently Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

(Photo of Rita Dove by Fred Viebahn)

In the debut of Unorchestrated, co-hosts Christopher and Tom talk with poet Rita Dove about Sonata Mulattica, her book of poems detailing the relationship between the black violinist George Bridgetower and Beethoven.

This is the first episode in a 14-part series: Sonata Mulattica with Rita Dove.

Rita Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winner and former U.S. Poet Laureate, and the only poet honored with both the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts. An Akron native, she is currently Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

The episode closes with a performance of Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, opus 47, performed by Akron Symphony Concertmaster Tallie Brunfelt and pianist Nathaniel LaNasa.

(Photo of Rita Dove by Fred Viebahn)

Robin comments on the new concept of GNH (Gross National Happiness), used in Bhutan along with GDP; also Verbal Karate, and the words of Toni Morrison. Guests: the great storyteller Ursula K. Le Guin; author Judy Blume; former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove.

Poetry Month. Robin celebrates the new energy in African-American and women's poetry with Alice Quinn of the Poetry Society of America; Joy Harjo as she sings a poem (and plays sax!); and former U.S. poet laureate Rita Dove reading from Mother Love—plus Robin links Boston to the Senate's gun vote.