Home -> Composers -> Adams, H. Leslie

Français
 

H. Leslie Adams  (b. 1932) Composer, Pianist & Professor
Table of Contents   1 Birth   2 Youth   3 Music Studies   4 Varied Career   5 Awards   6 Pianist   7 Twelve Etudes   8 Opera   9 Blake   10 Recordings  11 Archives  12 Works  13 Bibliography	H. Leslie Adams

Audio Samples: 
1 Albany Records Troy 639 (2004); Twelve Etudes; Maria Corley, piano
   I. G Minor
2 Albany Records Troy 428 (2000); Love Rejoices: Songs of H. Leslie
   Adams; Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano
     a For you there is no song
      b Amazing Grace
      c Sence You Went Away
      d Creole Girl
      e Homesick Blues

1 Birth
H. (Harrison) Leslie Adams is a composer, pianist and professor who was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 30, 1932.  His website  is http://www.hleslieadams.com

Dominique-René de Lerma is Professor of Music at Lawrence University.  He has specialized in African heritage in classical music for four decades, and has kindly made his research file on the composer available to this website.

2 Youth
We learn from Prof. De Lerma that H. Leslie Adams was a student of both piano and voice before finishing high school:

A native of Cleveland, Harrison Leslie Adams began private piano study with Dorothy Smith and Mina Eichenbaum and voice with John Howard Tucker.

3 Music Studies
Adams went directly from high school to Oberlin Conservatory, Prof. De Lerma writes, eventually earning Bachelor's and Masters degrees in Music and a Ph.D. in Music Education:

Following graduation from Glenville High School he enrolled at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (B.M, 1955), studying composition with Herbert Elwell and Joseph Wood, voice with Robert Fountain, and piano with Emil Dannenberg. He studied composition privately with Robert Starer (1950) and Vittorio Giannini (1960) before attending California State University-Long Beach (M.M., composition and choral music, 1967) where his composition teachers were Leon Dallin and Robert Tyndall. He entered Ohio State University in 1968 and secured his Ph.D. in music education in 1973, a student of Marshall Barnes. Subsequent study of orchestration was guided by Edward Mattilla, Eugene O’Brien, and Marcel Dick (1978-1983).

4 Varied Career
Prof. De Lerma explains that Adams was a choral director at Stillman College in Alabama, and went on to hold a variety of positions as a pianist, music director and composer:

In Alabama he was choral director at Stillman College.  He was pianist for various dance companies from 1957 to 1962, and worked with the Karamu House in Cleveland, as Associate Musical Director (1964-1965), but returned as Composer-in-residence for 1979-1980, having already taught in the school system of New Jersey (Soehl Junior High School, in Linden, 1962-1963) and at the New Mexico School for Performing Arts in Raton (1966-1967).  Prior to his study in California, he served one year on the faculty of Florida A&M University (1968). From 1970 to 1978, he was choral director and at the University of Kansas, leaving that post essentially to dedicate his time to composition back in his hometown, although he was guest composer at Cuyahoga Community College in 1980 and composer-in-residence for 1981-1982 at the Cleveland Music School Settlement. In 1980 he founded Accord Associates and served as president to 1986, when, until 1992 he was Executive vice-president and composer-in-residence of Accord Associates, and president and artist-in-residence from 1997 of Creative Arts.

5 Awards
H. Leslie Adams has received a number of prizes, grants and fellowships, we learn from Prof. De Lerma, has been a scholar in residence, and has been selected for the Meet the Composer program of the Cleveland Public Schools three times:

In 1963 he was winner of a composition competition held by the National Association of Negro Women, and had the 1969-1970 Fellowship of the National Education Defense Act.  He received the national award for original composition from Choral Arts (1974). The National Endowment for the Arts in 1979 provided him with a grant.  He has been scholar-in-residence at The Rockefeller Conference Center in Bellagio that same year, and is a Fellow of the Cleveland Foundation (1980) and the Jennings Foundation (1981).  Under a Meet the Composer program he was featured in the Cleveland public schools in 1981, 1984, and 1991.

6 Pianist
Adams has had numerous commissions, and has performed with European and North American orchestras including the Prague Radio Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra and the Buffalo Philharmonic.  One recent recording of his music is Twelve Etudes, from Albany Records Troy 639 (2004), recorded by the Jamaica-born pianist Maria Corley. 

7 Twelve Etudes
One recent recording of his music is Twelve Etudes, from Albany Records Troy 639 (2004), recorded by the Jamaica-born pianist Maria Corley.  She earned Master's and Doctoral degrees in piano performance at the Juilliard School.  She comments on the composer and the composition in the liner notes:

He was, and is, extremely gracious and generous, and it was a delight to be coached by this marvelous musician and gentle spirit in how to best bring his works to life. At the time of this writing, Dr. Adams has completed nineteen of a proposed twenty-four etudes.  They are highly representative of his compositional language, including jazz-inflected syncopations, neo-romantic harmonies, and the strong melodic sense one would expect of such a brilliant composer of songs.

The liner notes also include remarks by H. Leslie Adams on the character of the Twelve Etudes:                  

These are essentially studies of varying styles, moods, tonalities, and thematic natures - each providing different technical challenges, while expressing my personal sense of beauty.

8 Opera
H. Leslie Adams is a Legacy Award Winner of the National Opera Association for 2006.  He is also the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award of California State University Long Beach, 2006.  In addition, the composer's opera  Blake  has been excerpted by the New York City Opera Company, May 6, 2006.  Adams was one of 12 composers selected for the event at Skirball Center, New York University, Washington Square Park South.  A press release announced:               

Adams' opera Blake will feature singers from the roster of The New York City Opera Association who will perform the selected excerpt of the opera in the first of two days of new works being performed and featured.

9 Blake
The press release quoted the response of H. Leslie Adams to the recognition for Blake:

“I have always held in my heart the hope and chance of this labor of love and commitment to reach the world’s greatest stages and with this profound opportunity and honor of The New York City Opera Association inviting me to be a part of this year’s symposium, perhaps all of my years of work will now be shared with the world,” Adams said. “I have always received encouragement regarding the work and promoting the meaning of the work.  I firmly believe, even in a world of difference and adversity; this work will join the many elements of unity amongst us all.”

A synopsis of Blake can be found at the composer's Website, http://www.hleslieadams.com 

10 Recordings
The website of the American Composers Alliance, http://composers.com/h-leslie-adams says two CDs of the works of H. Leslie Adams stand out for their success:

Two all-Adams CDs, have become especially popular. "Love Rejoices: Songs of H. Leslie Adams" features the beautiful tenor of Darryl Taylor. It was chosen as one of the ten best year recordings of the American Record Guide, and is now in its Second Edition.  His "Twelve Etudes" features the brilliant piano renditions of Adams' piano studies by Maria Corley.

Soprano Icy Rene Simpson and pianist Dr. Artina McCain have recorded three songs of H. Leslie Adams, Lullaby Eternal (4:22), For you there is no song (2:33) and Creole Girl (2:36) on the CD I. too; Longhorn Music LHM2012001

11 Archives
Prof. De Lerma notes the Leslie Adams Music Archives have existed since 1997, and a Leslie Adams Fan Club was founded in the composer's home town in 2002:

The Leslie Adams Music Archives is within the Special Collections of the Cleveland Public Library, established in 1997.  In 2002, the Leslie Adams Fan Club was established in Cleveland.

We also learn from Prof. De Lerma that Adams served on the Committee of Alumni Council of Oberlin Conservatory until 2004, when he left it to concentrate on composing.

12 Works
Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma

A Christmas wish, for SSAATTBB (1991).

A kiss in Xanadu, ballet in 3 scenes, for chamber orchestra (1954, rev. 1973)  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990..  Scenario: Richard McPhee.  Instrumentation: 2222, 4231, timp, cel, piano, harp, strings.  Première: 1954/IV/4; Oberlin, Hall Auditorium; David Daniels, conductor; Marilyn Adams, choreographer. Duration: 35:35. 

AT:  Cleveland Civic Orchestra; John Ross, conductor.

----- rev. 1974.

A white road, for low voice & piano (1961).

Afro-American songs.  see: Songs on texts of Afro-American poets.

Alone, for high voice & piano.

All the way, for chamber orchestra, incidental music for the play by Tad Mosel (1965).   Commission: Karamu Theater.  Première: 1965/IV/6; Cleveland, Karamu Theater; H. Leslie Adams, conductor.  Duration: 25:00.

Amazing grace, for high voice & piano (1992).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1992; Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 3:32.  Text: H. Leslie Adams.

      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.

7 Amen choral responses, for SATB (1953).

Asperges me, for soprano, elto, tenor, bass, SSAATTBB & organ (1952).

Blake, opera in 4 acts (1986).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990; Geneva OH: Henry Carl Music.  Text: Daniel E. Mayers, after Blake, by Martin Delany.  Cast: soprano (Miranda); soprano (Joanna Stevens); boy soprano==? (Little Joe); mezzo-soprano (Isabella Ballard); tenor (Blake); tenor (Andy); baritone (Jack); baritone (Major Frank Stevens); bass (Judge Whitney Ballard); chorus.  Commission: First Presbyterian Church of East Cleveland for its 190^th anniversary.  Première: 1997/X/24; Baltimore, Municipal Opera Company; Sabrina Clark, Kelli Young, William Clark, Robert King, Sabrina Clark, Kelli Young, singers; Phadelma Ashley, stage director; Brian Bagley, choreographer; Charlene Moore Cooper, conductor.  Duration: 3:00:00.

----- Has he come?  O Miranda.

      CD: == Albany TROY 387 (==, Sence you went away).

----- That wild fire, for medium voice & piano.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 1984.  7p.

Break, break, break, for low voice & piano (1951). 

Christmas lullaby, for children’s chorus & orchestra (1993).  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Première: 1995; Cleveland Orchestra.  Duration: 5:00.

----- for SATB & piano.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.

----- for medium voice & piano.

CitiScape, for piano & orchestra (1964).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1981.

Concerto, piano (1966).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1981.  124p.  1. Allegro moderato; 2. Largo; 3. Allegro.  Duration: 20:00. Instrumentation: 2122 Eh (p), 4231, timp, cel, perc, piano solo, strings. 

----- 1976 revision.  New York: American Composers Alliance.  Première: 1976/III/7; wrence KS, University of Kansas, Swarthout Concert Hall; Richard Reber, piano; Kansas University Symphony Orchestra; George Lwarner, conductor.

      AT:  Richard Reber, piano; Kansas University Symphony; George Lawner, conductor (1976/III/07). 

Contrasts, for piano (1961).  20p.  Première: 1961.  Library: Library of Congress.

---- Romance, for orchestra. (1961).  Duration: 3:00.

Daybirth, for medium voice & piano (1994).  1. Anniversary song; 2. Daybirth; 3. Flying; 4. From a hotel room; 5. Love request; 6. Lullaby eternal; 7. Midas, poor Midas; 8. Song of thanks;  9. Song of the innkeeper’s children; 10. Song to the baby Jesus.  Text: Joette McDonald.  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1994; Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 2:59.

      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.

----- 1. Anniversary song, for high voice & piano (1992).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1993.

----- 9. Song of the innkeeper’s children, for medium voice & piano (1992).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1992.

Dunbar songs; 3 Songs on texts of Paul Laurence Dunbar, for high voice & chamber orchestra (1981).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1983.  1. The meadow lark; 2, He gave me a rose; 3. The valse.  Text: Paul Laurence Dunbar.  Commission: Ohio Chamber Orchestra for its 10^th anniversary season.  Première: 1981/XI.22; Cleveland; Baldwin Wallace College; Janet Alcorn, soprano; Ohio Chamber Orchestra. 

----- Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.

AT: unidentified performers.

----- for high voice & piano.

----- 1. The meadow lark.  Première: 1982/III/13; New York, Church of the Intercession; Alpha Floyd, soprano; Opera Ebony Orchestra; Margaret Harris, conductor.  Duration: 5:00.

AT: unidentified siger, with chamber orchestra.

----- for high voice & piano (1980).  New York: American Composers Alliance. 

----- 3. The valse.

      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.  Duration: 4:34.

Etude, piano, no. 1, G minor (1977)  Readfield WI: Vivace Press, 1998.  Duration: 6:11.

      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.

Etude, piano, no. 2, G major.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 6:50.

      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.

Etude, piano, no. 3, A minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.   Duration: 4:24.

      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.

Etude, piano, no. 4, C major.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 1:51.

      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.

Etude, piano, no. 5, D minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration:  4:03.

      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.

Etude, piano, no. 6, D major.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 3:22.

      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.

Etude, piano, no. 7, B minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 2:37.

      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.

Etude, piano, no. 8, G-flat major.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 6:26.

      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.

Etude, piano, no. 9, B-flat minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 7:30.

      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.

Etude, piano, no. 10, D-flat major.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 7:25.

      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.

Etude, piano, no. 11, C-sharp minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 9:37.

      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.

Etude, piano, no. 12, E-flat minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Duration: 8:48.

      CD: Maria Corley, piano.  Albany TROY 639 (2004).  Liner notes: Maria Corley and H. Leslie Adams.

 

Etude, piano, no. 14, A-flat minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.

Etude, piano, no. 15, F-sharp minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 2001. 6p.

Etude, piano, no. 16, C minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 2002.  7p.

Etude, piano, no. 17, D-sharp minor.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 2002.  14p.

Etude, piano, no. 18, B major.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 2002.  8p.

Etude, piano, no. 19 ==NEED KEYS

Etude, piano, no. 20

Etude, piano, no. 21

Etude, piano, no. 22

Flying, for high or medium voice & piano (1993).  New York: American Composers Aliance, 1993. Text: Joette McDonald.  Duration: 2:59.

From a hotel room, for high voice.  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1994.

----- for low voice & piano.

Hark to the shouting wind, for low voice & piano (1951).

Harlem love songs, SATB & piano.  11p.  Text: Langston Hughes.  Duration: 3:53.

Hosanna to the son of David, for SATB & piano (1969 == or 1973?).  New York: Walton Music Corporation, 1976.  15p. (Frank Pooler contemporary choral music, 2927).  Text: St. Matthew 21:8-9, St. Mark 11:8-10.  Duration: 3:00.

----- AT: University of Kansas Choir; James Rawlston, conductor.

Hymn to all nations, for SATB & piano (1997).  New York: American Composes Edition, 1997.  Commission: First Presbyterian Church, East Cleveland.  Première: 1997/XI/23; First Presbyterianm Church, East Cleveland.

Hymn to freedom, for soprano, tenor, baritone & chamber ensemble (1989)  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  1. When storms arise; 2. Lead gently, Lord.  Text: Paul Laurence Dunbar.  Commission: Borg-Warner Foundation for the Center for Black Music Research.   Duration: 12:00.

---- 2. Lead gently, Lord.  Duration: 7:00.  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990.  Première: 1989/X/13; St. Louis, Sheldon Concert Hall; Bernadine Oliphint, soprano; William Brown, tenor; Donnie Ray Albert, baritone; Black Music Repertory Ensemble; Michael Morgan, conductor.

      LP: Bernadine Oliphint, soprano; William Brown, tenor; Donnie Ray Albert, baritone; Black Music Repertory Ensemble; Michael Morgan, conductor (1989/10/13).  CMBR-001 (1990).

Infinitas, for organ.

Intermezzo, for violin & piano (1953).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1984.  Première: 1954.  Duration: 3:00.

Love come and gone, for high voice & piano.

Love expressions, for chamber orchestra (1990).  Madison OH: Carl Henry Music, 1990.  1. Love waltz; 2. Love ballad.  Commission: Cleveland Chamber Orchestra.

Love memory, for high or medium voice & piano (1990).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990.  Text: Paul Laurence Dunbar.  Duration: 4:35.

      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.

Love request, for high or medium voice & piano (1993).  New York: American Composers Alliance.

Love response, for medium voice & piano.  Text: Paul Laurence Dunbar.  Duration: 2:31.

      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).

Love song, for SATB & piano (1969).  Ft. Lauderdale: Music 70/80, 1982 (#M70-452).  11p.    Text: Langston Hughes.  Duration: 3:53.

Lullaby eternal, for high or medium voice & piano (1993).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1993. Text: Jotte McDonald.  Duration: 5:12.

      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.

Madrigal, for SATBB (1969 == or 1973).  Aurora CA: New Music, 1981 (NM-A-137).  5p.  Text: Take them and keep them, by T. Aldrich.  Duration: 2:10.

----- for SATB.  Grand Rapids MI: Maleki’s Music (NM A-127).  8p.

Man's presence; A song of ecology, for children's chorus (2 part) & piano (1974).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990.  Commission: Broken Arrow Elementary Schoo, Lawrence KS.  Première: Lawrence KS; 1974; Broken Arrow Elementary School Chorus.

Midas, poor Midas, for high voice.  New York: American Compers Alliance, 1994.

5 Millay songs, 5 Songs on texts of Edna St. Vincent Millay, for high voice & piano (1960).   New York: American Composers Alliance, 1988.  23p.  1. Wild swans; 2. Branch by branch; 3. For you there is no song; 4. The return from town; 5. Gone again is summer the lovely.  Original title: Songs of love and likelihood.  Text: Edna St. Vincent Millay.  Commission: Accord Associates.  Duration: 15:00.  Library: Library of Congress.

----- Madison OH: Carl Henry Music.

      CD: == Albany TROY 387 (==, Sence you went away).

----- for medium voice & orchestra (1987).  Première: 1988/I/24; Cleveland; Accord Community Orchestra; Hilda Harris, mezzo-soprano; Dwight Oltman, conductor.

---- 2. Branch by branch.

      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.

---- 3. For you there is no song.  New York: Edward B. Marks, 1977 (Anthology of art songs by Black American composers, ed. by Willis Patterson).  Duration: 2:34.

      AC: George Neely, baritone; Patricia Springer, piano (Morgan State University).

      ??: Dawn Padmore, soprano; Darryl Hollister, piano (Churchill College, University of Cambridge, 2003/VIII/4).

      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.

      CD: Odikhiren== SPL? Amaize, bass-baritone; David Korevaar, piano.  Musicians’ Showcase MS 1011 (2000; The Negro speaks of rivers; art songs by African-American composers).

      CD: ==; University of Texas, David Garvey Memorial Fung (1994).

LP: Hilda Harris, mezzo-soprano, with unidentified pianist. .  University of Michigan SM-0015 (1980; Art songs by Black American composers).

----- for SATB.

---- 4. The return from town.

      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.

Night, for low voice & piano (1951).

Night song, for flute & harp (1983).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1986.  Première: 1989. Duration: 3:00.

Night song; Night music, for flute & harp (1983).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1986.  Première: 1989/III/13; Brooklyn, Brooklyn Academy of Music; Paula Bing, flute; Stacey G. Shames, harp.  Duration: 4:00.

Night song, for SATB (1974).  Duration: 3:00.

Night song, for flute & harp (1984).  New York: American Composers Alliance.  Duration: 3:00.

Nightsongs; 6 Songs on texts by Afro-American poets; Afro-American songs, for high voice & piano (1961).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1988.  1. Prayer [text: Langston Hughes];  2. Drums of tragedy [original title: Fantasy in purple] (text: Langston Hughes); 3. The heart of a woman [text: Georgia Douglas Johnson]; 4. Night song [text: Clarissa Scott Delany];  5. Sence you went away [text: James Weldon Johnson]; 6. Creole girl [text: Leslie Morgan Collins].   Original title: Songs on texts by Afro-American poets; Afro-American songs.  Duration: 17:00. 

AT:  Gloria Schafran, mezzo-soprano; Leslie Adams, piano.

CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.

----- for medium voice & orchestra (1987).  New York; American Composers Alliance (score); Geneva OH:  Henry Carl Music, 1988.  Commission: Afro-American Songs of American Composers Alliance and Accord Associates.  Première: 1988/I/24; Cleveland; Accord Community Orchestra;’Hilda Harris, mezzo-soprano; Dwight Oltman, conductor.

----- 1. Prayer, for SATB.  New York: American Composers Alliance,. 5p.

----- 3. The heart of a woman.

      AT: Ben Holt, baritone; Cliff Jackson, piano (1984, Peabody Conservatoiry of Music).

      ----- for SATB & piano.  New York: American Composers Allance.  6p.

----- 4. Sence you went away.

      ??: Faye Cheatham, soprano; Wallace Cheatham, piano (2003/VIII/04, Churchill College, University of Cambridge).

      CD: == Albany TROY 387 (==, Sence you went away).

      ----- for SATB & piano.

----- 6. Creole girl.

      AT: Ben Holt, baritone; Cliff Jackson, piano (1984, Peabody Conservatoiry of Music).

      ----- fir SATB & piano.  New York: American Composers Alliance.  15p.

Ode to life, for orchestra (1979).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1983.  Commission: Cuyahoga Community Coillege, for its 15^th anniversary.  Première: 1979/III/13; Cuyahoga Community College, Metro Campus Auditorium; Cleveland Civic Orchestra; John Ross, conductor.  Duration: 12:00.

----- rev. 1983.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.  Première: 1983/I/16; Cleveland, Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra..

      CD: Prague Radio Symphony; Julius P. Williams, conductor.  Albany TROY 431 (2000; Shades of blue; Symphonic works by African American Composers).

Of man’s first disobedience, for low voice & piano (1951).  Text: Paradise lost.

Offering of love, for organ (1991).  New York: American Composers Alliance; Westlake OH: Henry Carl Music, 1992.  Commission: American Guild of Organists for the Biennial National Convention, Atlanta, 1992.

On the sea, for low voice & piano (1953).

Pastorale, for violin & piano (1952).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1984; Westlake OH: Henry Carl Music, 1992.  Première: 1954/V/2; Oberlin Conservatry, Warner Hall; Larrie Moore, violin; Richard Fiske, piano.  Duration: 5:00.

4 Pieces, for piano (1951).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1983.  1. A Spanish caprice; 2. By the brookside; 3. Waltz; 4. Sad story.

Prayer, for SAATB ==?chorus (SATB?  YEAR?

Prelude and fugue, organ (1978).  Pullman WA: Vivace Press, 1998 (VIV 342, 20p.); New York: American Composers Alliance.  Duration: 7:00.  Première: Kansas Composers Forum. == NEED KEY

Prelude and fugue, organ (1979).  Readfield WI: Vivace Press, 1998. .  Commission: Kansas Composers Forum, Kansas Music Teachers Association.  Première: 1980.  == NEED KEY

3 Preludes, piano (1961).  New York: American Composers Alliance.  10p.  1. Allegretto deciso; 2. Andante e poco rubato; 3. Allegro ma non tanto.  Duration: 4:00.

Psalm 23; The Lord is my shepherd, for soprano, alto, tenor, baritone & SATB with optional piano (1969).  New York: American Composers Alliance.  Duration: 8:00.

      ----- for SATB.  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990.

Psalm 121; I will lift up mine eyes, for soprano, alto, tenor, bass & SATB with piano reduction (1969).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1983.  16p.  Award: Christian Arts 1974 National Competition for Choral Compositions.  Duration: 8:00.

Quartet, strings, D-flat major (2003).  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 2003.  1. Larghetto appasiionato; Andante; 2. Andante calmato; 3. Andantino giocoso; 4. Molto marcato.  Première: 2004/III/07; Black River String Quartet.  Duration: 28:20.

      CD: [Black River String Quartet?] (2004). 

Quartet, trombones (1975).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990.  Première: 1977.  Duration: 11:00.

Rememb’ring, rejoicing, for SATB & piano.  Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 1984. 15p. Text: Joette McDonald.

Sarabande, for string quartet (1951).  Duration: 3:00.

Sonata, horn & piano (1960; Empire sonata).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1962.  86p. 1. Moderato; 2. Largo; 3. Allegretto; 4. Allegro.   86p.  Duration: 45:00. Première: 1961.

----- 2.  Largo.  New York: Associated Music Publishers.  DATE==

Sonata, violin & piano (1961).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1982.   1. Allegro; 2. Lento; 3. Allegro.  Duration: 20:00.  Première: 1961.

Sonata, violoncello & piano (1965; rev. 1974).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1981.  1. Moderato; 2. Lento; 3. Allegro.  Première: 1978/I/8; Lawrence KS, University of Kansas, Swarthout Recital Hall; Edward Laut, cello; H. Leslie Adams, piano.  Duration: 20:00.

----- 1.  Moderato.

AT:  Barbara Harris, cello; Leslie Adams, piano.

----- 2. Lento.

AT:  Barbara Harris, cello; Leslie Adams, piano.

Song of thanks, for low or medium voice (1993).  New York: Americxan Composers Alliance, 1993.

Song to baby Jesus, for high or medium voice & piano (1992).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1992.

Symphony, no. 1 (1982).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1983.  Contents: 4 movements.   Commission: University of Kansas Faculty Research Grant, Clevland Foundation, Karamu House, Rockefeller Foundation, Conference Center, Bellagio; National Endowment of the Arts/  Duration: 43:00.  Instrumentation: 2222, p, Eh, 2 bcl, 4321, timp, perc, cel, harp, strings.

----- Madison OH: Henry Carl Music.

Under the greenwood tree, for SATB (1973). New York: American
Composers Alliance. 4p.  Text: William Shakespeare.  Duration: 2:28.

Tall tales, for SATB & piano (1973).  12p.  Text: Edward Lear.  Duration: 3:00.

The Congo, for readers, speakers & percussion (1955).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990.  Duration: 20:00.

The constant lover, for medium voice & piano (1951).

1. Invocation; Blessed is the man; 2. Lamentation; Look long upon his dying; 3.Exaltation; Rise, rise O whirling, flaming sun; 4. Benediction; Look long upon his living face. Commission: Paul Kaye Singers.  Text: Daniel Ma The righteous man; Cantata, no. 1, to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King   Première: 1986/I/19; Minneapolis, University of Minnesota, Northup Memorial Auditorium; Paul Keye Singers; orchestra; Paul Kaatrud, conductor.  Duration: 25:00, for SATB & chamber orchestra (1984).  New York:

----- for SATB & piano.

The wider view, for high voice & piano (1988).  1. To the road! [text: Paul Laurence Dunbar]; 2. Homesick blues [text: Langston Hughes]; 3. Li’l gal [text: Paul Laurence Dunbar, also known as My man]; 4. Love come and gone [Text: Georgia Douglas Johnson]; 5. The wider view [text: R. H. Grenville]; 6. Love rejoices [text: James Diller Freeman].  Duration: 23:00.

      CD: Darryl Taylor, tenor; American Composers Alliance; Cleveland: Blake Productions, 1986.  68p.  Robin Guy, piano.  Albany 428 (2000, Love rejoices).  Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma; “Introducing Darryl Taylor” by George I. Shirley.

----- 3. My man, for high or medium voice.  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1998.

Teach me, O Lord, for low voice & piano (1951).  Text: Psalm 119.

Theme and variations, for piano(1953; On a serious theme).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1983.  Première: 1961.

There was an old man,  for SATB & piano (1970 == or 1973?).  Fort Lauderdale: Music 70/80, 1985 (#M70-448).  12p.  Text: Edward Lear.  Duration: 3:50.

      AT:  University of Kansas Chorus; James Rawlston, conductor.

Turn away mine eyes, for low voice & piano (1951).

Under the greenwood tree, for SATB (1969).  New York: American Composers,  Alliance, 1983(M70-488).  4p. Text: William Shakespeare, As you like it.  Duration: 2:28.

2 Vachel Lindsay songs, for low voice & piano (1953).  1. The leaden-eyed; 2. Factory windows.

Vocalise, for SATB & 2 bassoons or 2 cellos, with optional soprano, alto, tenor & bass (1973).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1990.  15p.  Duration: 6:40.

Wave and the shore, for soprano & piano.  Text:  Joette McDonald.  Première: 2003/VI/17; Cleveland; Spaces Art Gallery; Artist Apprentices of The Lyric Opera of Cleveland, Patricia Rhiew, soprano.

We shall overcome,for voice &  SATB (1982).  New York: American Composers Alliance.  6p.

Western adventure, for orchestra (1994).  New York: American Composers Alliance; Madison OH: Henry Carl Music, 1994.  1. Cowboy’s race across the plains; 2. Past an Indian village; 3. The grand cattle roundup.  Commission: Cleveland Orchestra.

What love brings, for high or medium voice & piano (1991).  New York: American Composers Alliance, 1992..

13 Bibliography
Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma

“Leslie Adams” in Sonorities in Black music; A concert series, first concert, 12 December 1978, ed. by Dominique-René de Lerma.  Baltimore: Morgan State University, 1978, p6-7.

“Ode to life: Symphony will perform Ohio artist’s composition” in Urbana daily citizen (1980/I/17).

“Opera première for Leslie Adams” in Symphonium, v3n2 (1991/spring) p6. [Blake]

“Piano soloist to play Springfield concert” in Springfield news-sun [OH] (1980/I/13).

Anderson, Ruth.  "Leslie Adams, composer." in Contemporary American composers; A biographical dictionary.  2^nd ed.  Boston: G. K. Hall, 1982.

Anderson, Stan.  “Cleveland press” in Cleveland plain dealer (1965/IV/7).  [All the way].

Banfield, William C.  Landscapes in color; Conversations with Black American composers.  Landham MD.: Scarecrow Press, 2003.  xvi, 380p.  ISBN 0-8108-3706-4. 

Black music research journal,  Index

Black perspective in music,  v3n1, p132; v6n2, p239; v12n1, p145; v13n1, p127; v14n1, p58, 81; v17, p196, 198; v18, p242.

Blacks in the performing arts

Bull, Storm.  Index to biographies of contemporary composers, vol. 3.   Metuchen: Scarecrow Press, 1987.   xxiv, 854p.  ISBN 0-8108-1930-9.

Carter, Madison H.  An annotated catalogue of composers of African ancestry.  New York: Vantage Press, 1986. (1933-)

Cattell, Jacques, ed.  Who's Who in American music; Classical.  2^nd ed.  New York: ==

Center for Black Music Research.  Digest, v2n2, p3, 11; v3n2, p3; v3n3, p4.

Childs, Linda D.  The solo vocal works of Leslie Adams; A descriptive catalogue and commentary.  Graduate paper (D.M.A.) Arizana State University, 1997.

Con brio v1n3

Dawkins, Darlene.  "Leslie Adams, composer; A man and his music." in Clubdate [Cleveland].  v8n2 (1987/fall) p48-52.

Fain, Kenneth.  “Artists and their art; Composers” in Cultural post; National Endowment for the arts (1979/V-VI).

Finn, Robert.  "Romantic American drama stirs work on opera" in Cleveland plain dealer (1983/I).

Finn, Robert.  “Local composer’s Ode to life assured of success” in Plain dealer [Cleveland] (1979/V/11).

Finn, Robert.  “Slave rebellion before Civil War stirs work on opera” in Plain dealer [Cleveland] (1983/I/01) pB7.  [Blake]

Forte, Roland.  “Local composer featured in American visions” in Showtime [Cleveland] (1996/IX/12).

Gamble, Ranelle A., ed.  The H. Leslie Adams Fan Club.  Cleveland Heights 44118:3370 Seaton Road [2003-].

Gray, John.  "Leslie Adams, composer."  Blacks in Classical music; A bibliographical guide to composers, performers and ensembles.  Westport: Greenwood Press, 1988 (The music reference collection, 15)

Green-Crocheron, Karen.  "Meet composer Leslie Adams." in Galore magazine [Cleveland] (1982/V), p31.

Grove, 2^nd ed.

Holly, Ellistine Perkins.  Bibliographies of Black composers and songwriters; A supplementary textbook.  Dubuque: Wm. C. Brown Publishers, 1990, p. 56-57.

Horne, Aaron.  String music by Black American composers.  Westport: Greenwood Press, 1991 (Music reference collection, no. 33).  xx, 327p.  Foreword by Dominique-René de Lerma.  ISBN 0-313-27938-1. +

Horne, Aaron.  Woodwind music by Black American composers.  Westport: Greenwood Press, 1990, p9. (Adams, Leslie H., 1933-)

International who's who in music and musicians' directory.  12^th ed. == 1991.

Kay 1988

Lerma, Dominique-René de.  Symposium of symphonic music by Black composers, Houston, September 3-7, 1974.  n.p.: 1974.  24p.

Matney, William C.  Who’s who among Black Americans.  2^nd ed.  Northbrook: Who’s Who Among Black Americans, 1978., 1981

Musical America 1979.

Musician’s directory

NANM 1991

Neilson 1982

New Grove dictionary of music and musicians, 2^nd ed.

Performing arts 1981

Perry, Richard M.  “Composer’s fans hope you keep this story quiet” in Plain dealer [Cleveland] (2002/XII/27) p44.

Roach, Hildred.  "Composer Leslie Adams" in Black American music, past and present. Malabar, Fl.:  Robert E. Kreiger Publishing Co., 1985, v2,  p72-3.

Rosenberg, Donald.  “Concert celebrates individuality, too” in Plain dealer [Cleveland] (1994/III/20). [Love song. Hosanna to the Son of David. Madrigal. The righteous man]

Sherwood, Gayle.  “Adams, Leslie” in International dictionary of Black composers, ed by Samuel A. Floyd, Jr.  Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn, 1999, v1, p17-22.

Sonneck Society bulletin v16n3

Symphonium v2n2; v3n1;v4n2; v5n2

Trotter, Herman.  “Words and music weave a fitting tribute to Dr. King” in Buffalo news (1983/I/24) pB9.  [Ode to life]

Tuck, Lon.  “Evelyn White Chorale” in Washington post (1982/XI/02).

Turner, Diana.  “Leslie Adams, composer” in Call and post [Cleveland] v6n6 (1983/X/17).

White, Evelyn Davidson.  Choral music by Afro-American composers; A selected, annotated bibliography.  2^nd ed.  Metuchen: Scarecrow Press, 1996.  viii, 126p.  ISBN 0-8108-3037-X.  First edition issued by Scarecrow in 1981:

Who's who classical 1983, 1987

Who's who in America, 2000.

Who's who in entertainment.  Wilmette IL:  Macmillan Directory Division, 1990.

Williams, Yvonne C.  “Leslie Adams and the making of the opera Blake; An interview with the composer” in New perspectives on music; Esssays in honor of Eileen Southern, ed. by Samuel A. Floyd Jr. and Josephine Wright.  Warren MI: Harmonie Park Press, 1992.

Wyatt, Lucius.  “Leslie Adams” in Black music research newsletter, v7n1 (1984/fall) p3-4.

This page was last updated on March 5, 2022