Sunday, March 25, 2018

John Malveaux: At Tonality Concert March 24 Alexander Blake Directed "Lady in Blue" by Zanaida Robles

Tonality Chorus

Vainayaki Sivaji

John Malveaux of 
writes:

Although i did not attend Tonality (new choral group) concert "Do You Hear Her? Music for Voices of Silenced Women" in Los Angeles March 24, 2018, I attended part of the rehearsal prior to the concert and witnessed Alexander Blake directing "Lady in Blue" composed by Zanaida Robles with text from "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf" by Ntozake Shange. Composer Zanaida Robles previously remarked "It's about abortion and the women of Tonality sing it with devastating beauty and skill. Mine is just one of several works on this program curated and prepared by Alex Blake to make you think deeply about what it means to be truly heard as a woman."  See pic of conductor Alexander Blake and chorus during rehearsal at St. John's Cathedral. 

The rehearsal also included one or more choral pieces that included a string ensemble in addition to piano. Although i did not hear their rehearsal, I briefly spoke with violinist Vainayaki Sivaji (one parent from Tanzania) who is a former track star and violinist from University of Redlands. 

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