BMC BLACK VOICES PROGRAMME BOOK - Book - Page 30
immortal melodies, including By an’ by; Deep
river; I got a robe; and I want to be ready, and
jubilee (sometimes referred to as ‘shout’) songs,
together with spiritual settings by the
exceptional black female composer Florence
Price (1887-1953), whose concert and chamber
music has recently become the subject of reevaluation. Several of her concert and
chamber-music compositions used sorrow
spirituals themes in their construction, and
amongst several examples of sorrow spirituals
in this programme are Nobody knows de
trouble I’ve seen; Go down Moses; and Were ou
there.û Additionally, and in contrast, Leon
Bosch’s jubilee songs selections include Ev’ry
time I feel the spirit; I got a robe; and I’m goin’
to lay down my heavy load.
Spirituals often feature microtonally-flatted
notes, syncopation and counter-rhythms,
suggestive of handclapping, so naturally
expressive when instrumentally recreated as
here on the double-bass.
© Robert Matthew-Walker 2024
