Thursday, February 23, 2012

Detroit Free Press: Brazeal Dennard Chorale Performs Works of Adolphus Hailstork & Rick Robinson Feb. 25



[ABOVE: Adolphus C. Hailstork BELOW: Rick Robinson]

Adolphus C. Hailstork (b. 1941) is featured at AfriClassical.com. His cantata I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes will be performed, along with a composition for cello and bass by Rick Robinson, on Saturday, February 25, 2012 by the Brazeal Dennard Chorale:

The Detroit Free Press
February 23, 2012
Mark Stryker

Adolphus Hailstork has often drawn on the sound and soul of African-American vernacular music -- from spirituals to gospel and blues elements -- in his works. His large-canvas cantata "I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes" from 1989 is a good example. The piece sets a trio of psalms in music filled with call-and-response and improvisatory shouts, and it never strays too far from the church. Scored for chorus, chamber orchestra and vocal soloist, it promises to play to the strengths of the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, conducted by Augustus Hill.

“The program for the choir's Legacy Concert is also stocked with the African-American spirituals that are the trademark of this indispensible Detroit choir. Guest composer and bassist Rick Robinson contributes a piece for cello and bass. Guest artists include soprano Alice McAllister Tillman, whose soaring voice sent exquisite chills through the air during last Sunday's performance of Duke Ellington's sacred music at Orchestra Hall.
4 p.m. Saturday, Bethel AME Church, 5050 St. Antoine, Detroit. 313-331-0378. www.brazealdennard.org. $25.

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