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Julius Hemphill : Composer

Lemon’s Etched in Half-Mooned Blues

August 8, 2018 by Editor

Composition for saxophone sextet (soprano, two alto, two tenor, and baritone). The six-page score in the Julius Hemphill Papers is accompanied by four pages of poetry by K. Curtis Lyle, including material used in the piece “The Collected Poem for Blind Lemon Jefferson.” The score also includes extensive stage directions, suggesting choreographed movements by the musicians. There is no known recording of this piece.

From Marty Ehrlich: Hemphill first performed with a saxophone sextet in 1987, and he formed the Julius Hemphill Saxophone Sextet in 1988. The handwriting on this score looks very similar to scores he made in  1987-88. I conjecture that this piece marks the beginning of his conception of Long Tongues: A Saxophone Opera. 

Return to Annotated Composition List.

Filed Under: Compositions F-L Tagged With: K. Curtis Lyle, Long Tongues

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Julius Hemphill : Composer

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About the Julius Hemphill Papers

The Julius Hemphill Papers is an archival collection at New York University. The collection contains scores, audiovisual documentation, and other material related to the life and career of composer and saxophonist Julius Hemphill. Materials are accessible by appointment. Click here to learn more.

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