John Malveaux: “OLLY W. WILSON: 'If We Must Die' from the Song Cycle, 'Of Visions and Truth' (1991)”

[Recorded Music of the African Diaspora; Olly W. Wildon, Mary D. Watkins; Albany TROY1200 20:10) (61:00)]

John Malveaux of www.MusicUNTOLD.com writes of an Olly W. Wilson composition:

“Uploaded by AlbanyRecordsUSA on Jul 7, 2010 

from the Song Cycle, "Of Visions and Truth" (1991)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU0so6juiE0

“Rodrick Dixon, tenor, Donnie Ray Albert, baritone, New Black Music Repertory Orchestra, Kirk Smith, conductor 

from Albany TROY1200, 'Recorded Music of the African Diaspora'

http://www.albanyrecords.com

“Music that will surprise and entice.

“Albany Records in cooperation with the Center for Black Music Research is initiating a series undertaking to document the musics of the African diaspora. This first volume features two orchestral works — one by Mary Watkins, who is an eclectic composer and pianist of the classical and jazz traditions and the other by Olly Wilson, one of the most distinguished composers of his generation. Watkins' work swings, grooves, and hearkens to the roots of African-American musical expression. Elements of jazz, traditional African music and popular forms are merged with contemporary techniques and colorful orchestrations. A veritable tour de force, Wilson's multimovement song cycle features three vocal soloists and a chamber ensemble that highlights extensive percussion. Drawing from sources such as spirituals and African-American poets, Wilson uses musical and textual emblems from African-American poetry in inventive ways that both surprise and entice.

“Contents:

Mary D. Watkins, composer

Five Movements in Color

New Black Music Repertory Ensemble, Leslie Dunner, conductor

“Olly W. Wilson, composer

Of Visions and Truth: A Song Cycle

Bonita Hyman, mezzo soprano, Rodrick Dixon, tenor, Donnie Ray Albert, baritone, New Black Music Repertory Orchestra, Kirk Smith, conductor”