Dr. Paul T. Kwami
Meet Dr. Paul T. Kwami:
Professor & Musical Director at
Fisk University
The
Fisk Jubilee Singers will perform Harry T. Burleigh's arrangement of
"My Lord, What a Mornin'" during Saturday's concert. Dr. Kwami tells us
about his impression of the piece.
One
of my favorite things to do is watch and admire the beauty of nature.
Some of the things that I admire are beautiful colors and formations of
clouds that line the skies at sunrise and at sunset. Harry T. Burleigh’s
arrangement of “My Lord, What a Mornin'” reminds me of the amazing
beauty of the sky from dawn to day break. While the melody of this
spiritual is very simple and beautiful, Burleigh gives it a wonderful
treatment by turning it into a great piece of artwork.
He uses vocal combinations, variations in dynamics, expressions,
beautiful harmonies, and soothing chord progressions that paint a
beautiful picture of night changing into day. This melody is set to the
words, ‘My Lord, what a mornin’, a phrase that is repeated three times
to start the spiritual. The arrangement allows the altos to sing and
establish the melody at the beginning of this arrangement, while the
tenors and basses provide a very rich harmonic support. These harmonies
sound full because each of the male voice parts is divided into two
parts. After the introduction of the melody by the altos, the sopranos
join in, taking over the melody, which brightens the music. Then comes a
soft interlude that is hummed by all the voices. This is a very
gorgeous passage of music and reminds me of a gentle wind blowing and
the “singing” of birds occurring as the day breaks.
The music moves into a very robust and slightly louder section where a
different melody is introduced. The tenors have their chance to shine as
they introduce this new melody that is set to the text, “Done quit all
my worl’ly ways, jine dat hebbenly ban.” I love the movement of the
soprano line that includes a downward leap of an octave, while the
volume of the music reduces from loud to soft, slows down and returns
gently to the first melody. The song grows in volume and intensity,
reminding me of the appearance of the early morning golden sun. But this
beautiful melody that is so wonderfully harmonized returns to
quietness. The words of the final phrase read: “When de stars begin to
fall.” The chord on the final word is the softest. The stars that light
up the sky at night don’t fall literally, but rather disappear as the
sun rises.
Oh, what a wonderful arrangement H. T. Burleigh left for us to enjoy!
This is definitely one of my favorite spirituals and a very much liked
arrangement.
Fisk Jubilee Singers® Sing Harry T. Burleigh Spirituals
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