Father & Son - George Walker & Gregory T.S. Walker

Father & Son: George Walker was a trailblazing and multitalented composer and pianist of the 20th Century. Among his many accomplishments he was the first African American composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for music. He passed away in 2018, but his legacy continues in his son composer and performer Gregory T.S. Walker. As a performer Gregory regularly tackles his father’s momentous works for violin, and the interview highlights interplay and the complex relationship between composer and performer, father and son.

 

Special thanks to Summit Records and Newport Classic record labels for making this episode possible.  

George Walker’s "Lilacs" performed by soprano Fay Robinson
and the Arizona State University Symphony Orchestra

George Walker’s "String Quartet no. 2" performed by the El Paso Festival Quartet

The Gregory T.S. Walker selections from "Global Solstice" and "Bad Rap" performed by the composer and the Boulder Philharmonic.  "Dream N. The Hood" performed by Dennis Spears and the Plymouth Music Series.