August 15th
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor 15 August 1875 – 1 September 1912
Ballade for Orchestra
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Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was a British composer and conductor, born on 15 August 1875 in London. He is best known for his cantatas based on the poem The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In 1898, Coleridge-Taylor premiered the first part of this work at just 23 years old.
Coming from a mixed-race background, he gained such popularity that he was called the “African Mahler” during his tours in the United States. Coleridge-Taylor married Jessie Walmisley, and they had two children, both of whom pursued music careers. As a child, Coleridge-Taylor showed musical talent early on and studied at the Royal College of Music. He became a professor and conducted orchestras, continuing to compose noteworthy pieces throughout his life. Sadly, he passed away from pneumonia at the age of 37. Despite his struggles, his contributions to music remain significant.