Concert Singer Harry T. Burleigh Performs at City Hall

Henry Thacker Burleigh (1866–1949), was an African-American classical composer, arranger, and singer known for his rich baritone voice. He is also noted for being a key contributor in the development and dissemination of the African-American spiritual.  And through his published musical arrangements, set in a western classical style, Burleigh played a significant role in introducing African-American spirituals into the standard repertoire of the concert and recital hall.

On April 2, 1944 Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia welcomed Burleigh to City Hall to perform on the Mayor's weekly program Talk to the People over WNYC. The Mayor introduced Burleigh:

We have a distinguished visitor here in the office today, an old friend of mine, Harry Thacker Burleigh, famed American composer. To him is due in a great measure the credit of a place among musical classics of spirituals which have become recognized as typically American. It is his arrangement of 'Deep River' which is now sung all over the world, and of the spiritual, 'Were You There?' - you remember that, 'Were You There When They Crucified Our Lord' - that have brought these spirituals to the front wherever music is appreciated, and everyone knows 'Little Mother of Mine,' made famous by John McCormack, all over the world.

Maestro Burleigh was born in 1866 and came to New York in 1892. He has sung at St. George's Church here in Manhattan. For 49 consecutive years, on Palm Sunday, he has sung the immortal "The Palms' by Faure, at St. George's Church. Maestro Burleigh, won't you close this program by singing 'The Palms' for us?

As you will hear, Burleigh graciously obliged. 

Burleigh played a significant role in the development of American art song, composing more than 200 works in the genre. He was also the first African-American composer celebrated for his concert songs as well as for his adaptations of African-American spirituals. He died at age 82 in 1949. More than 2,000 people paid their respects at his funeral. 

 Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives.