Composer

:

Herbert Owen Reed

Genre

:

Band

Style

:

Band Music

Compose Date

:

ca. 1940

Average_duration

:

4:37

'Spiritual' is a band music composition by Herbert Owen Reed, an American composer and conductor. The piece was composed in 1962 and premiered the same year. It is a three-movement work that showcases the spiritual and gospel music traditions of African Americans. The first movement, titled "Ride On, King Jesus," is a lively and rhythmic piece that features call-and-response patterns between the brass and woodwind sections. The melody is based on the traditional spiritual of the same name, and Reed incorporates syncopated rhythms and bluesy harmonies to give the piece a modern twist. The second movement, "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child," is a slow and mournful piece that features a solo trumpet playing the melody. The piece is based on the traditional spiritual of the same name, and Reed's arrangement emphasizes the melancholy and longing expressed in the lyrics. The final movement, "Every Time I Feel the Spirit," is an upbeat and joyful piece that features a call-and-response pattern between the brass and woodwind sections. The melody is based on the traditional spiritual of the same name, and Reed's arrangement incorporates syncopated rhythms and jazz-inspired harmonies to give the piece a lively and celebratory feel. Overall, 'Spiritual' is a powerful and moving tribute to the spiritual and gospel music traditions of African Americans. Reed's arrangements showcase the beauty and complexity of these musical styles while also incorporating modern elements to create a unique and dynamic sound.

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