Black Classical Soundtrack

Chevalier de Saint George’s L’amant Anonyme: ContredansePerformed by Jeanne Lamon and the Tafelmusik Baroque OrchestraThe Best Man (1999) - Everyone dances to the electric slide at Lance and Mia’s wedding.

Friday (1995) - Craig fights Deebo and wins.

Duke Ellington’s Black, Brown, and Beige: Brown (arr. M. Peress for Orchestra)Performed by JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic OrchestraSchool Daze (1988) - Dap wakes everyone up—literally and figuratively—on campus to alert them to the conflicts they are facing.

Nathaniel Dett’s Enchantment: II. Song of the ShrinePerformed by Clipper EricksonPurple Rain (1984) - Prince performs Purple Rain.

Crooklyn (1994) - Troy pours hot water on her annoying neighbor Greg.

Belly (1998) - Tommy and his friends wake Keisha up

Mary Watkin’s Five Moments in Color: Once Upon a TimePerformed by Leslie Dunner and the New Black Music Repertory EnsembleDaughters of the Dust (1991) - Nana Peazant recalls a spiritual ritual when telling Eli to cherish and value the memories of his ancestors.

Gregory Walker’s Piano concerto: III. quarter note = 120Performed by Paul Freeman and the Detroit Symphony OrchestraShaft (1971) - Shaft fights two gangsters in his office.

William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony - II. Hope in the NightPerformed by Neeme Järvi and the Detroit Symphony OrchestraComing to America (1988) - Prince Akeem is treated to a dance from the royal court before meeting his bride-to-be Imani Izzi.

Michael Abels Winged CreaturesPerformed by Demarre and Anthony McGill and Alan Tinkman andthe Chicago Youth Symphony OrchestraThe Color Purple (1985) - Shug and Celie walk through a field of purple flowers.

Francis Johnson’s The Princeton Grand MarchPerformed by Matthew Phillips and Symphony Orchestra of AmericaMalcom X (1992)- A young Malcolm goes out on the town with his friend Shorty.

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s 24 Negro Melodies, Let Us Cheer the Weary TravellerPerformed by Frances WalkerLean On Me (1989) - Principal Clark is amazed when he hears a group of troubled students sing the high school song on demand.

George Walker’s Piano Concerto - II. quarter note = 63Performed by Natalie Hinderas and Paul Freeman and the Detroit SymphonyEve’s Bayou (1997) - Cisley worries her mother and disobeys her by leaving the house to go the beauty parlor.

Fela Sowande’s African Suite: V. AkinlaPerformed by Paul Freeman and the London Symphony OrchestraCarmen (1954) - Carmen’s friend Frankie is moved by the music she hears in the club.

Nathaniel Dett’s Magnolia Suite, Part 1: III. My Lady LovePerformed by Clipper EricksonPootie Tang (2001) - Biggie Shorty invites Pootie Tang to a party.

William Grant Still’s Ennanga: II.Performed by VidemusLove Jones (1997) - Darius reads his poem to Nina.

Boomerang (1992) - Marcus’s guests enjoy Thanksgiving dinner while Gerard’s parents share embarrassing stories.