coleridge-taylor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / Proper NounFormal, Academic, Cultural
Quick answer
What does “coleridge-taylor” mean?
A proper noun referring to the British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875–1912), known for blending European classical traditions with African musical themes, particularly in his work 'Hiawatha's Wedding Feast'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun referring to the British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875–1912), known for blending European classical traditions with African musical themes, particularly in his work 'Hiawatha's Wedding Feast'.
Used to refer to the composer's body of work, his musical style, or anything directly associated with him (e.g., a festival, a society, a street named after him).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More likely to be recognized in the UK due to the composer's nationality and the prominence of his works, especially 'Hiawatha', in British choral tradition. In the US, recognition is higher within classical music and African American cultural studies circles.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes classical music, late-Romantic/early-20th century composition, and cultural synthesis. In the US, there may be stronger connotations related to African diaspora identity and music history.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Higher frequency in specialized contexts like music history, biographies, concert programmes, and cultural studies.
Grammar
How to Use “coleridge-taylor” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] composed...The music of [Proper Noun]A performance of [Proper Noun]'s...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coleridge-taylor” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- A Coleridge-Taylor premiere was held at the Royal Festival Hall.
American English
- The choir specializes in Coleridge-Taylor repertoire.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in musicology, history, and cultural studies papers discussing early 20th-century music, British composers, or the African diaspora in classical music.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might occur in conversations about classical music, local place names, or Black History Month features.
Technical
Used in music programmes, liner notes, bibliographic records, and biographical databases.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coleridge-taylor”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coleridge-taylor”
- Misspelling as 'Coleridge Taylor' (without hyphen).
- Mispronouncing 'Coleridge' to rhyme with 'college'.
- Confusing him with the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (the names are inverted).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are not related. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was named after the poet, but his surname is a hyphenated combination of 'Coleridge' and 'Taylor'.
His most famous work is the cantata trilogy 'The Song of Hiawatha', particularly 'Hiawatha's Wedding Feast'.
The hyphen indicates it is a compound surname, not two separate names. It correctly identifies the single individual, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
Primarily in classical music programming, academic research on music history, during Black History Month, and in the names of institutions or awards dedicated to his legacy (e.g., Coleridge-Taylor Perpetual Trophy).
A proper noun referring to the British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875–1912), known for blending European classical traditions with African musical themes, particularly in his work 'Hiawatha's Wedding Feast'.
Coleridge-taylor is usually formal, academic, cultural in register.
Coleridge-taylor: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊl.rɪdʒ ˈteɪ.lə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊl.rɪdʒ ˈteɪ.lɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COLEridge' (like coal) + 'TAYLOR' (like the job). The 'COAL-ridge TAYLOR' composed music.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BRIDGE (between European classical tradition and African musical heritage).
Practice
Quiz
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor is best known for being a: