Composer

:

Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Lamentation

Compose Date

:

1973

Average_duration

:

15:43

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Lamentations: Black Folk Song Suite is a composition by Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, an American composer, pianist, and conductor. The suite was composed in 1960 and premiered in 1961 by the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Leonard Bernstein. The suite consists of five movements, each of which is based on a traditional African American spiritual or folk song. The first movement, "Calvary," is a mournful and contemplative piece that sets the tone for the rest of the suite. The second movement, "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child," is a haunting and melancholic rendition of the well-known spiritual. The third movement, "Deep River," is a slow and meditative piece that evokes the peacefulness of a river. The fourth movement, "Go Down, Moses," is a lively and rhythmic interpretation of the spiritual, featuring syncopated rhythms and call-and-response patterns. The final movement, "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?," is a somber and reflective piece that brings the suite to a close. Perkinson's use of traditional African American spirituals and folk songs in Lamentations reflects his commitment to preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of Black Americans. The suite also showcases Perkinson's unique style, which blends classical music with jazz and other African American musical traditions. The result is a powerful and moving work that speaks to the experiences and struggles of Black Americans throughout history.

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