Margaret Allison Bonds (1913-1972)
Margaret Bonds
The Ballad of the Brown King
& Selected Songs
Laquita Mitchell
Noah Stewart
Lucia Bradford
Ashley Jackson
The Dessoff Choirs & Orchestra
Malcolm J. Merriweather
Avie Records
Sergio A. Mims writes:
Avie
Records has released this month the first ever recording of
Margaret Bonds' Christmas cantata The Ballad of The Brown King with a
libretto of Langston Hughes.
Avie Records
20th-century African-American composer Margaret Bonds receives long
overdue recognition with the world-premiere recording of her crowning
achievement, The Ballad of the Brown King. With an expressly
written libretto by Bonds’ friend Langston Hughes, this Christmas
cantata which focuses on Balthazar, the dark-skinned king who journeyed
to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Jesus Christ, is beautifully
interpreted by New York City-based The Dessoff Choirs and Orchestra,
outstanding soloists soprano Laquita Mitchell, mezzo-soprano Lucia
Bradford and tenor Noah Stewart, under the baton of their charismatic
conductor, Malcolm J. Merriweather. Bonds authority Dr. Ashley Jackson
contributes the inspired liner notes. This unique seasonal album also
includes a selection of specially arranged songs, including a setting of
Hughes’ seminal poem I, Too, Sing America, performed by baritone Merriweather and Jackson on solo harp.
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