The 4 Essential Black Classical Composers On My African American Music Appreciation Month Playlist

June 18, 2026

of Note

By Madison Hunter

During African American Music Appreciation Month, we honor the legacy of the artists who have defined the American musical landscape. Many Black composers are crucial to the classical canon, yet often overlooked. I want to introduce you to four artists whose work holds deep historical significance and resonates with me personally, echoing the spirituals and hymns of my upbringing. They brilliantly blend classical structures, from Romanticism to modern styles, with the depth of Black life, making their art both deeply personal and universally vital.

To begin your journey through this heritage, here are four essential listening suggestions.

Nathaniel Dett

Nathaniel Dett was a pioneer who believed spirituals and folk traditions deserved a place in the concert hall. He bridged European classical structures with African American folk melodies, crafting “rough timber” themes into sophisticated piano suites. His Magnolia Suite blends Romantic-era textures with a distinct expressive voice. With its gentle waltz-like pulse and flowing melodic lines, “The Place Where the Rainbow Ends” evokes a fond memory revisited. Dett returns to the opening motif throughout, creating a familiar thread that guides the listener. Its richly Romantic character and lyrical writing offer an inviting introduction to the suite.

Video: Magnolia Suite: Part II, No. 5 The Place Where the Rainbow Ends 

H. Leslie Adams

H. Leslie Adams is a key voice in the Black classical music sphere, known for his commitment to his own artistic vision. Rather than following academic trends, he often self-commissioned works to maintain creative freedom. His piano music is conversational and warm, carrying the emotional energy of the Late-Romantic era. In his Etude in C-Sharp Minor, an undulating bass line sets the stage for a blend of Romantic lyricism and impressionistic color. The result is a subtly atmospheric work that moves fluidly between introspection and expression. While C-sharp minor is often associated with mystery and melancholy, Adams frequently turns toward moments of brightness, giving the piece a distinctive emotional balance.

Video: Etude in C Sharp Minor 

Jessie Montgomery

A compelling voice in contemporary music, Jessie Montgomery’s work reflects her background as a violinist and her upbringing in New York’s Lower East Side. Her writing often blends jazz, hip-hop, and spirituals with classical tradition. Montgomery’s Starburst captures the energy of rapid star formation through rcontinuous forward drive and dazzling orchestral color. With dynamic sections of calmer, lyrical pizzicato passages and melodic lines, and higher-energy, staccato strings punctuating the texture with flashes of brightness. The result is a work in constant motion, unfolding with the excitement and unpredictability of a burst of creative energy.

Video: Starburst 

Carlos Simon

Carlos Simon bridges sacred traditions and the modern concert hall. With roots in the Pentecostal church—he began playing organ by ear at age 10—his music is deeply emotional and spontaneous. He is a pivotal figure in the Black classical music sphere, consistently finding new ways to elevate African American heritage. In Amen!, Simon draws on his Pentecostal roots to create a work filled with energy, color, and reverence. The opening features gospel-inspired choral textures, with brass and orchestral lines imitating the call-and-response of a congregation in worship. As the piece develops, twinkling chimes, soulful brass sections, a whirlwind of woodwinds, punchy trumpets and cascading runs, it builds momentum, eventually giving way to hand clapping, tambourines, and syncopation, reinforcing the rhythm of communal celebration. The result is a work that channels the sound and spirit of the Black church into a vibrant orchestral setting.

Video: Amen!

Madison Hunter is a rising senior studying Music and Arts Administration at UNC-Greensboro. She is working with WDAV this summer, supporting a variety of station operations with a focus on programming and membership.