None other than Antonin Dvorák stood up for the negro spiritual. For example, he once said: "In the negro melodies of America I discover everything that is necessary for a great noble composition school." He kicked off this in his Ninth Symphony 'From the New World'. No other form of folk music was able to penetrate as many music movements as the spiritual. It left its mark not only in art music,
… but also in blues, rap, gospel, Broadway musical, jazz, rock and R&B. On this album, the multicolored company Conspirare presents an anthology of the most beautiful spirituals in a stylistically equally varied program. Varying from intimate choir settings to arrangements of symphonic allure, the styles vary from traditional harmonizations (Steal Away) to swinging arrangements (Hold on) with sometimes almost R&B-like qualities (Soon Ah Will Be Done). Robert Kyrs Freedom Song is the only original work. This retroactively explores the relationship with ancient African music traditions. The performance is in excellent hands with Conspirare, who won an Edison Award in 2010 with their album Requiem. (JWvR)more
