Composer

:

John Coltrane

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Average_duration

:

4:37

"Reverend King" is a composition by the legendary jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane. The piece was composed in 1966, just two years before Coltrane's untimely death. It was premiered on February 16, 1968, at the Village Gate in New York City, just a few months after Coltrane's passing. "Reverend King" is a single-movement piece that lasts for approximately 11 minutes. The piece is characterized by its slow, mournful melody, which is played by Coltrane on the tenor saxophone. The melody is accompanied by a simple, repetitive bass line and sparse, atmospheric percussion. The piece is dedicated to the memory of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated in 1968, just a few months before the premiere of "Reverend King." The piece is a tribute to King's life and legacy, and it reflects the grief and sadness that many people felt in the wake of his death. Despite its somber tone, "Reverend King" is also a deeply spiritual piece. Coltrane was known for his interest in spirituality and his belief in the power of music to connect people to a higher power. In "Reverend King," he uses music to express his own feelings of loss and to connect with the larger community of people who were mourning King's passing. Overall, "Reverend King" is a powerful and moving piece of music that reflects both the personal and the political dimensions of Coltrane's art. It is a testament to his skill as a composer and his commitment to using music as a means of expressing his deepest emotions and beliefs.

More....