Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Distinguished composer Adolphus Hailstork studied at Michigan State University, the Manhattan School of Music, Howard University, and the American Institute at Fontainebleau. He has written numerous works for chorus, solo voice, piano, organ, chamber ensembles, band, and orchestra. His music has been performed by orchestras around the country and he has received commissions from performing organizations such as the Cincinnati Opera, the Houston Choral Society, and the Atlanta Festival, among many others. He is on the faculty at Old Dominion University. This recording, his fifth for Albany Records, concentrates on music for strings and includes a trio as well as works for string quartet. The Ambrosia Quartet (Simlon Lapointe and Mayu Cipriano, violin; Beverly Kane Baker, viola; and Rebecca Gilmore, cello) are all members of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and have been performing as a quartet for more than a decade both in Virginia and around the United States.