Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

Program

From the Harlem Renaissance to Today

MSIMELELO MBALI, Bass–baritone
ALEXANDER SOLOWAY, Piano
WU QIAN, Piano
STELLA CHEN, Violin
GUILLERMO FIGUEROA, Violin
ARNAUD SUSSMANN, Viola
NICHOLAS CANELLAKIS, Cello

Still	Suite for Violin and Piano (1943)
Bonds	“I, Too, Sing America” from 3 Dream Portraits for Voice and Piano (1959)
Johnson	Lift Every Voice and Sing for Voice and Piano (arr. Randa Kirshbaum) (c. 1905, arr. 2007)
Traditional	Oh Freedom for Voice and Piano (arr. Randa Kirshbaum) (arr. 2009) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands for Voice and Piano (arr. R. Kirshbaum) (arr. 2007) Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child for Voice and Piano (arr. HT Burleigh) (arr. 1918) Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen for Voice and Piano (arr. HT Burleigh) (arr. 1917) Go Down Moses for Voice and Piano (arr. HT Burleigh) (arr. 1917)
Montgomery	Duo for Violin and Cello (2015)
Kern	“Ol’ Man River” for Bass and Piano from Show Boat (arr. Hammerstein) (1927)
Traditional	Deep River for Voice and Piano (arr. HT Burleigh)
Lowry	“Shall We Gather at the River?” for Voice and Piano (arr. Copland) (1864, arr. 1952)
Weill	“Lost in the Stars” from Lost in the Stars for Voice and Piano (1949)
Price	Quintet in A minor for Piano, Two Violins, Viola, and Cello

Program Notes

This program celebrates humanity and the way we observe complicated, multi-layered traditions. Still’s suite is a reflection on three Harlem Renaissance sculptures that together give a nuanced view of African American life in the 1930s. Montgomery’s duo, meanwhile, is a modern-day depiction of the unbreakable bonds of friendship. To finish the program, Price takes a long view of history, with a classical exploration of traditional music drawing on hymns, spirituals, and dances. A nod to the African American vocal tradition completes this program of Black music past and present.

“CMS at the Meadows” will take place rain or shine at Pitney Meadows Community Farm, under the High Tunnel greenhouse, a large outdoor event space. Performances will all be 90 minutes long with no intermission.