Philharmonic’s Afromodernism Festival Gathers Black Artists

At the New York Philharmonic’s festival Afromodernism: Music of the African Diaspora, the composer Nathalie Joachim plans to showcase the richness of Black musical expression, like Haitian funeral brass bands, swing and New York Minimalism.

“We are not a monolith,” she said.

Black artists have long struggled to be seen or heard in classical music. And despite some recent progress, they remain vastly underrepresented among orchestra players, soloists, composers and conductors.

But this week, Black musicians will be front and center at the Philharmonic, which is devoting a series of concerts and events to the music of the African diaspora. On Thursday and Friday, the orchestra will play works by living composers like Joachim and Carlos Simon and revered figures like William Grant Still, whose Symphony No. 4 celebrates the fusion of musical cultures in the United States.

On Saturday, the orchestra will host a Young People’s concert focused on diasporic experiences. And later this month, the Philharmonic will also present a concert by the International Contemporary Ensemble, the contemporary music group, featuring a variety of Black composers.

The composer Carlos Simon wants to shatter stereotypes about Black American culture, with a piece highlighting dance forms including tap, holy dance, ring shout and waltz.

“There will be people in the audience who had no idea that Black people were doing a waltz,” he said about wealthy Black Americans in the 1930s who had debutante balls for their children. “It’s going to be a learning experience.”