Julius Eastman (1940-1990)

Donald Macleod attempts to unravel the enigmatic, remarkable story of Julius Eastman and his music.

When this week’s composer died homeless and alone in 1990, almost no one knew, not even his friends, and his work threatened to disappear with him. Julius Eastman had lit up America’s contemporary music scene as a spellbinding performer and a visionary composer whose music is difficult to pigeonhole. A gay, black man in the predominantly white world of new music, Eastman was often misunderstood. His musical voice fused minimalism with pop and the avant-garde, and was inextricable from his identity politics - a sound that was provocative then and remains so today. He collaborated with luminaries such as Pierre Boulez, Peter Maxwell Davies and Meredith Monk but also faced many struggles, leading to his premature and tragic decline. This week, Donald Macleod shares his long-overdue story, with insights from American baritone Davone Tines, a performer and champion of Eastman’s music.

Music Featured:

Stay On It (excerpt) Piano 2 (1st movement) Gay Guerrilla If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Rich? (excerpt) Colors (extract) Ensemble Tra I Tempi Michael Veltmann, conductor Meredith Monk: Dolmen Music (Men’s Conclave – WaOhs) Peter Maxwell Davies: Eight Songs for a Mad King (Scotch Bonnet, Spanish March) Prelude to the Holy Presence of Joan D’Arc Colors Joy Boy Stay On It Fugue No 7 Arthur Russell: Instrumentals, Part I Dinosaur L: No, Thank You! Femenine (Part 1 – Prime) Evil N***** Touch Him When Piano 2 (2nd movement) The Holy Presence of Joan of Arc Buddha Femenine (Final section, Must Return)

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced in Cardiff by Amelia Parker

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Julius Eastman (1940-1990) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00106ny

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z