Margaret Bonds: Credo/Simon Bore the Cross

New York City-based The Dessoff Choirs, instrumental in re-establishing the music of 20th-century African American composer Margaret Bonds with the world-premiere recording of her Christmas oratorio 'The Ballad of the Brown King', present two more Bonds premieres: new orchestrations of her cantata 'Simon Bore the Cross' created with long-time collaborator and friend Langston Hughes, and the large-scale 'Credo' set to prose by W E B Du Bois.

Akin to 'The Ballad of the Brown King', which centred around the dark-skinned king Balthazar who journeyed to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Jesus Christ, Bonds' and Hughes' North African Simon carried Jesus's cross on the way to Calvary, giving African American audiences an opportunity to see themselves within the biblical canon. 'Credo' bears Bonds' evocative vocal writing style infused with elements from various black musical genres. The first complete performance of the work was given in 1973, to rave reviews: "Credo verified her talent, her sensitivity, her proficiency as orchestrator and her concern for the Negro spiritual" (Los Angeles Times). Written during the last decade of Bonds' life, neither work was performed in its entirety during the composer's lifetime.

With this release coinciding with Black History Month conductor Malcolm J. Merriweather, The Dessoff Choirs and Orchestra and soloists soprano Janinah Burnett and bass-baritone Dashon Burton, bring Margaret Bonds' beautiful and spiritual music back to life, conveying a powerful message that remains poignant and relevant for music lovers today.

"Beautifully performed here, these two late choral works encapsulate both the warmth of Bonds' musical language and her passionate advocacy for racial justice." BBC Music Magazine (Performance 5 STARS; Recording 4 STARS)

"these [performances] from the excellent Dessoff Choirs and orchestra are by far the most accomplished, for which Malcolm J. Merriweather deserves much credit." Gramophone

"Margaret Bonds is a glorious composer and we need to hear more of her powerfully expressive deliciously romantic infectious" - BBC Radio 3, Record Review

"an impressive presentation of two major scores by a composer who is gradually becoming recognised for her contribution to both the field of music and social equality" - MusicWeb International

"these are world premiere recordings, handling the composer's confident synthesis of blues, jazz, gospel and classical choral singing with complete naturalness." Choir & Organ (4 STARS)

1: I Believe in God
2: Especially Do I Believe in the Negro Race
3: I Believe in Pride of Race
4: I Believe in the Devil
5: I Believe in the Prince of Peace
6: I Believe in Liberty
7: I Believe in Patience
8: Prelude
9: I Find No Fault
10: The Trial
11: Who Is That Man?
12: Don't You Know, Mary?
13: Walkin' to Calvary
14: The Crucifixion
15: Postlude Resurrection

Composer: Margaret Bonds

Conductor: Malcolm J. Merriweather

Number of Discs: 1

Orchestra: The Dessoff Orchestra

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