October 25, 2024

Margaret Bonds (1913-1972)

1 hour 16 minutes

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of African American composer Margaret Bonds

This week, Donald Macleod is joined by musicologist and pianist Dr Samantha Ege to delve into the life and music of African American pioneer composer, Margaret Bonds (1913-1972).

Bonds was one of the most important composers and pianists of her time. She wrote several dozens of art songs, arranged many traditional spirituals, and composed large-scale cantatas. From her native Chicago where she was the first black performer to play with the Symphony Orchestra to the buzzing stages of New York where she set poetic gems to music, and at a time of racial discrimination and fight for civil rights, her story is one of determination, friendship, and absolute dedication to music-making. As such the programme does include some language of the period.

Music Featured:

Joy

Trad, arr Bonds: Little David Play on Your Harp

The Pasture

Spiritual Suite; No 1, The Valley of the Bones

To a Brown Dead Girl

Trad, arr Bonds: Lord, I Just Can’t Keep from Cryin’

Florence Price: Fantasie Nègre No 1 in E minor

Flamenco

Tangamerican

Simon Bore the Cross

Trad, arr Bonds: Didn’t It Rain

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

Three Dream Portraits

Trad, arr Bonds: Ezek’el Saw the Wheel

Four Songs

Trad, arr Bonds: Peter, Go Ring dem Bells

Spiritual Suite; No 2, The Bells

The Ballad of the Brown King

Trad, arr Bonds: Joshua Fit da Battle of Jericho (arr for voice and chamber ensemble by P. Spray)

Trad, arr Bonds: I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free

Trad, arr Bonds: He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands

Trad: Wade in the Water

Spiritual Suite; No 3, Troubled Water

Montgomery Variations

Fugal Dance

When the Dove Enters In

Songs of the Seasons

Credo

Trad, arr Bonds: Hold On (arr for voice and chamber ensemble by P. Spray)

Simon Bore the Cross (mvt VIII)

Presented by Donald Macleod

Produced by Julien Rosa for BBC Audio Wales & West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Franz Liszt (1811-1886) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0023y4n

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

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By BBC Radio 3

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