Lettie Beckon Alston (born 1953) is an American composer known for her piano work and a longstanding series of concerts, "Lettie Alston and Friends."
Biography
Alston was born in 1953 in Detroit.[1]
Alston attended Wayne State University for her undergraduate and masters degrees.[2] In 1983, she earned her doctorate in musical composition from the University of Michigan (UM) where she had studied with Leslie Bassett, William Bolcom and Eugene Kurtz.[1][2] She was the first African-American to earn this degree from UM.[2]
Work
Alston's work includes traditional, as well as electronic instruments.[3] She has composed for orchestra, chamber and vocal groups.[3]
In 1995, Alston started a series of concerts at Oakland University called, "Lettie Alston and Friends."[4] The concerts featured contemporary classical music usually based around a central theme.[2][4] The last of these concerts took place in 2008.[2]
In 2001, her work was recorded on a two CD set, Keyboard Maniac. [5] The set highlighted both her work on acoustic and electric piano.[5] She passed away in 2014 while vacationing in Hawaii.
Selected works
Instrumental Solos
Violin
Pulsations (unaccompanied). 1974, revised 1993. Duration 10:00. Three movements. Recorded by Gregory Walker, Kaleidoscope: Music by African-American women (Leonarda CD-LE339). Library: AMRC, IU-USM. Available from: Alston. [6]
Oboe
Three implied jesters (unaccompanied). 1975. Available from: Alston. [6]
Percussion
Visions (piano, marimba). 1979, revised 1993. Duration: 7:00. Performances include Larry Kaptein, marimba, Lettie Beckon Allston, piano, University of Michigan Symposium on Black Women Composers, August 1985. Library: AMRC. Available from: Alston. [6]
Piano
Four moods for piano. 1993. Duration: 12:00. Performances include the Unisys African-American Forum Chamber Music Concert, Orchestra Hall, Detroit, April 1993. Library: AMRC, IU-USM. Available from Alston. [6]
Moods for piano. 1975. Duration: 5:00. Library: AMRC, Available from Alston. [6]
References
External links
- Rhapsody No. 4, "Keyboard Maniac"
- More recordings and access to scores can be found at A Seat at the Piano.