String Triptych

Ulysses Kay was a major presence in 20th century music - first African-American to win the Prix de Rome from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, editorial advisor to BMI, an early musical ambassador to Russia in 1958 for the State Department. Trained first as a pianist, he had an obvious affinity for strings in his compositions. When the Missouri chapter of American String Teachers' Association commissioned him in 1988 for an all-state high school piece, he wrote String Triptych, a three movement work, not overly demanding. A brief largo middle movement is followed by a sprightly Finale (allegretto), with salutory phrases passed among the string players.