Harry Burleigh

Full biography Harry Burleigh

Harry Burleigh was an American classical composer, arranger, and singer known for his baritone voice and his contributions to the development of African-American music. He was born on December 2, 1866 in Erie, Pennsylvania and passed away on September 12, 1949 in Stamford, Connecticut. Burleigh's music combined elements of European classical music with African-American spirituals, and he played a significant role in the development of concert spirituals as a distinct genre of American music.

Burleigh's music was highly acclaimed during his lifetime, and he was the first African-American composer to receive widespread recognition for his art songs. He is widely regarded as one of the most important African-American composers of the 20th century and a pioneer of African-American music.

Burleigh received classical training at the National Conservatory of Music in New York City, where he studied composition with Antonin Dvorak. Dvorak saw great potential in Burleigh's talents and helped him to develop his skills as a composer. Burleigh served as Dvorak's copyist, assistant, and occasional soloist during his time at the Conservatory.

Burleigh's compositions include numerous art songs, choral works, and arrangements of spirituals. Some of his most famous works include "Deep River," "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," and "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child." His music continues to be performed and recorded today by musicians all over the world, and his legacy as a pioneering figure in African-American music remains an important part of American cultural history.