Monday, January 3, 2011

Marlissa Hudson CD 'Libera,' 'Works by Bonds, Hayes, Mendelssohn, Onovwerosuoke & Puccini'


[Libera: Works by Bonds, Hayes, Mendelssohn, Onovwerosuoke and Puccini; Marlissa Hudson, soprano; Peter Henderson, pianist; AMP Records AGCD 2106 (47:45)]

African Music Publishers, whose Founder and President is Fred Onovwerosuoke, Ph.D., announces the release of the recording Libera: Works by Bonds, Hayes, Mendelssohn, Onovwerosuoke and Puccini; AMP Records AGCD 2106. Dr. Onovwerosuoke writes in the liner notes:

“American soprano Marlissa Hudson has been described as a 'superb lyric coloratura' (St. Louis Post-Dispatch). At home both on the operatic and concert stage, Ms. Hudson made her professional debut performing Summertime from Porgy and Bess with the Baltimore Symphony Pops Orchestra under the baton of Marvin Hamlisch. She later performed the entire role of Bess with Union Avenue Opera of St. Louis. Her role as Zerbinetta from Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos, earned glowing reviews in the Baltimore Sun.”

“Ms. Hudson received her formal training at Duke University and the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. Ms. Hudson has collaborated with organizations across the country as a concert soloist and recitalist, including the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Pops Orchestra, National Philharmonic, and the Prince George's Philharmonic. For more information please visit http://www.marlissahudson.com”

“The idea for this CD was hatched at one of our Wine, Hors d'Oeuvres and Great Music reading sessions held in St. Louis by the African Musical Arts, Inc. organization. A few of us friends and colleagues were musing several topics, particularly how the benevolence of Mendelssohn solidified Bach's name in music history and how but for the English adoption of Handel, his name and music could easily have been a mere footnote in the annals of the world's greatest composers. We wondered how many great composers might never be discovered because they were overlooked by the usual pool of benefactors or the notable music commentators of the day.” “Thus, this CD project was born in the spirit of the Intercultural Music Initiative (IMI), a pilot program to present a consortium of first-rate artists, performing music by new American immigrants along with the usual staple of standard repertoire.”

Margaret Bonds (1913-1972)
Minstrel Man (from “Three Dream Portraits”)
He's Got the Whole World in His Hand (Arr. From African-American Spiritual)

Mark Hayes (b. 1953)
Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho
There is a Balm in Gilead
I Feel the Spirit Moving
Give Me Jesus


Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Hear Ye, Israel (from the oratorio "Elijah")

Fred Onovwerosuoke (b. 1960)
Duniya (Mystic Universe) (12 African Songs for Solo Voice & Piano)
Based on Mandinka (Gambia) meditation and exhiortation for peace in God's universe
Esato (Eight) (12 African Songs for Solo Voice & Piano)
Based on an Igbo (Nigeria) folktale, a whimsical lament from ancient Igbo poetry on wishes, daydreams and unfulfilled desires
Herero Folktales (12 African Songs for Solo Voice & Piano)
Based on Otjiherero (Namibia) story of the graceful gallops of the “Himba” herdsman on horseback who comes to charm the maidens
Luwah (Bitter Tears) (12 African Songs for Solo Voice & Piano)
Based on Mokpe/Bakweri (Cameroon) dirge of the lingering memory of losing a loved one
Ngulu (12 African Songs for Solo Voice & Piano)
Based on a Kamba lullaby and work song from Kenya
Ne Nkansu (12 African Songs for Solo Voice & Piano)
Based on a healing dance of the Forest peoples of the Congo, to Mother Earth for herbs that feed, heal and make whole

Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
La Canzone di Doretta (from the opera “La Rondine”)


Distributed by African Music Publishers. Order CD by phone at 314-652-6800, email to amp@africarts.org or online at http://www.africarts.org. Major music websites will also have the CD available. Download songs or the entire album at DigStation.com.
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