In a city that never sleeps, a long-forgotten melody is about to awaken.
On Wednesday, October 23, at 7:30 pm, Lincoln Center will host a free event that promises to strike a chord with music lovers and history buffs alike.
The evening will spotlight ORCHESTRATED, a groundbreaking documentary that unearths the remarkable story of the Negro Symphony Orchestra (NSO), a full-time African American symphony orchestra that flourished in the 1930s under the guidance of Harlem’s cultural luminaries.
A Symphony of Voices
The event will feature a star-studded panel discussion moderated by Celeste Headlee, the accomplished radio journalist and granddaughter of William Grant Still. Joining her are:
- Kyle P. Walker, pianist and NYU professor
- Sam Pollard, award-winning director and producer
- Alex Walker, conductor from The Royal Academy of Music
- Natalia Iyudin, writer and director
- Ross Kauffman, Academy Award-winning director
These voices will harmonize to explore the NSO’s legacy and its place in the century-long struggle for equality in classical music.
The Unsung Heroes of Harlem
ORCHESTRATED delves into the unlikely collaboration between Harlem icons like James Weldon Johnson and Ignatz Waghalter, a Polish-Jewish conductor-composer who fled Nazi Germany.
This cultural fusion gave birth to an orchestra that challenged the status quo and sought to redefine the face of classical music in America.
A Musical Journey Through Time
The evening will be punctuated by soul-stirring performances that bridge past and present. Pianist Kyle Walker and violinist Katherine Dennis will transport the audience to the Harlem Renaissance with William Grant Still’s Suite for Violin and Piano (1943).
They’ll also perform Ignatz Waghalter’s Sonata for Violin and Piano in F Minor, op. 5 (1902), a piece that echoes the NSO’s groundbreaking spirit.
Rediscovering a Lost Legacy
ORCHESTRATED is more than just a documentary; it’s a musical excavation. The film follows NYU professor Kyle P. Walker and British conductor Alex Walker as they piece together the NSO’s forgotten history.
Their journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the enduring impact of Black artistry in classical music.
A Night of Cultural Resonance
This event, presented in collaboration with the Polish Cultural Institute New York and Genuine Interest, is not just a celebration of music—it’s a reclamation of history.
As the strains of Still and Waghalter fill the air, attendees will be invited to reflect on how far we’ve come and how much further we have to go in the quest for diversity in the classical music world.
In a city known for its cacophony, ORCHESTRATED promises to deliver a symphony of voices, both past and present, that deserve to be heard.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a cultural awakening that’s been nearly a century in the making.
The David Rubenstein Atrium, 1887 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
For tickets, call CenterCharge at 212-721-6500 from Monday–Saturday 10:00 am–8:00 pm and Sunday noon–6:00 pm EST.
Photo credit: 1) Negro Symphony Orchestra performance. 2) Kyle P. Walker and Katherine Dennis by William Oh.
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