John Malveaux: George Walker's last major work, Sinfonia No. 5 "Visions", was inspired by the 2015 shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church

George Walker

John Malveaux of MusicUNTOLD.com writes:

Pulitzer prize composer George Walker's last major work, Sinfonia No. 5 "Visions", was inspired by the 2015 shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.  Todate the work has been ignored by ever major American Orchestra before and after the 2019 Seattle Symphony premiere.  Please see  

https://seattlesymphony.org/watch-listen/beyondthestage/georgewalker and https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/05/arts/music/george-walker-sinfonia-visions-seattle-symphony.html

Sinfonia No. 5 "Visions" was completed in 2016 in one movements with two versions. Version One has text and Version Two does not include voices. A photo of the port of Charleston, South Carolina appears on a screen near the conclusion.

Text for Version One:

1 Drink, drink to me (Baritones and Tenor)

2. Sit quietly on the pebbled shore as waves crest high and peak and dolphins leap and soar near reefs. Dim dark and bleak. (Soprano and Tenor)

3. I dream (Tenor)

4.The sun sets deep into the sea (Soprano) And ships glide stealthily (Tenor)

5. A lighthouse beams a stream of light that Parts the misty shroud of starless night (Baritones)

6. I see the harbors and the ports where men enslaved Were beaten, chained, auctioned and bought. (All voices)

7. Arma virumque cano! (Bass)

8. And it was so! (Tenor)

Please visit Albany recording on Youtube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrfbwsdUY4c