Sence You Went Away: Contemporary African American Art Songs and Spirituals

Wendell Whalum (Composer), Eugene Hancock (Composer), Leslie Adams (Composer), Valerie Capers (Composer), Adolphus Hailstork (Composer), John Carter (Composer), Sam McKelton (Performer), Louise Toppin (Performer), Susan Gray (Performer), Byron Burford (Performer)

Catalog #: TROY0387
Release Date: May 30, 2000
Format: Digital
Vocal

It is common practice in scholarly circles to honor an individual or institution with a festschrift, a collection of essays or articles written by close associates, former students, colleagues, or those with interests relevant to the life’s work of the honoree. In that spirit, Videmus (the non-profit musical organization devoted to furthering the music of African American composers and artists) offers this CD as a musical celebration of Dr. Willis Patterson’s commanding achievements in performance, education, and administration. If a composer like William Grant Still is considered the “Dean of African-American composers,” then “Dean” Patterson, as he is affectionately known by many, could certainly be considered “Dean” of a long line of distinguished black performer/educators that stretch back at least to the 19th century. His commitment to the music of African-Americans exemplified by the 1977 Anthology of Art Songs by Black Composers fostered the scholarly research and performance of this literature by many artists including those on this recording and Jessye Norman.

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Track Listing

Title Composer Performer
Five Millay Songs Leslie Adams Darryl Taylor, tenor, Patrick O'Donnell, piano
Sence You Went Away Leslie Adams Louise Toppin, soprano, Patrick O'Donnell, piano
Duet and Recitative from Act II of Blake Leslie Adams Timothy Jones, baritone, Christina Clark, soprano, Michelle Beaton, piano, Jorge Parodi, piano
Song of the Seasons Valerie Capers Anita Johnson, soprano, Timothy Holley, cello, Susan Gray, piano
Cantata John Carter Ray Wade, tenor, Susan Gray, piano
Somebody's Knocking at your Door Cedric Dent Cedric Dent, piano
Slave Song Adolphus Hailstork Alvy Powell, bass-baritone, Byron Burford, piano
Absalom Eugene Hancock James Patterson, bass-baritone, Patrick O'Donnell, piano
Sweet Jesus Wendell Whalum Sam McKelton, tenor, Louise Toppin, piano
God is a God Wendell Whalum Sam McKelton, tenor, Louise Toppin, piano

*Album cover provided for Editorial use only. ©Albany Records. The Albany Imprint is a registered trademark of PARMA Recordings LLC. The views and opinions expressed in this media are those of the artist and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions held by PARMA Recordings LLC and its label imprints, subsidiaries, and affiliates.