[Curtis
Richardson; Choir Photo from website of The Congregational Church of
Westborough, Massachusetts]
R. Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which
features a comprehensive Works list
by
Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com:
WickedLocal.com
GateHouse News
Service
Framingham,
Massachusetts
Posted
Feb 25, 2012
WESTBOROUGH
—
“Every February,
Curtis Richardson, choir director and organist at the Congregational
Church of Westborough, gathers a joint choir from churches in
Westborough, including St. Stephen’s Episcopal, St. Luke the
Evangelist, and the Congregational Church, along with his home
church, the Pleasant Street Seventh Day Adventist Church in
Worcester, for a Black History Month concert. Wesley United Methodist
Church in Worcester and Northborough Seventh Day Adventist church
also have some of their choir members participate.
“The concert will
feature spirituals important during the days of the Underground
Railroad, when slaves listened for songs that indicated by their
words either the opportunity to flee or the success of those who made
it. 'Peter, Go Ring Dem Bells' was sung in the fields when a slave
escaped to freedom, according to Richardson.” “Richardson, a
native of Trinidad, studied piano at Atlantic Union College in
Lancaster after winning a local talent contest in his teens. 'I
majored in piano but I always had a love for spirituals. Spirituals
are based in pain but founded in hope,' Richardson said.
“'The more I did
church choral music, the more gems I came across in spirituals and
classical music,' Richardson said. 'I wanted to find more music that
showcased African American composers who aren’t recognized.'”
“'One of my favorite arrangers of spirituals, Moses Hogan, died
young but produced some gems. We’re doing “Abide With Me” and
“Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel”, both arranged by him.”
“'Nathaniel Dett,
another unknown African American composer wrote “Listen to the
Lambs” in the early twentieth century,' said Richardson. 'It’s
one of the most poignant, moving spirituals I’ve come across.
Nathaniel Dett received a bachelor’s in piano from Oberlin College,
toured as a concert pianist and was the first black director of the
Hampton Institute in Virginia. He introduced spirituals in the
classical style.'”
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