American Voices

Featuring music from across genres, this program honors Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and the values and ideals he fought for his entire life.

Celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. in a program highlighting some of the most influential African American artists and composers of our time. Margaret Bonds’ Montgomery Variations, her tribute to civil rights leader Rosa Parks, is infused with themes of struggle, resistance and dignity. Bass Morris Robinson narrates an original poem by Rita Dove, former Poet Laureate Consultant to the Library of Congress, against Barber’s solemn Adagio for Strings, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Wynton Marsalis takes the 12-bar blues and explodes it into a lyrical, kaleidoscopic history of American music. 

Program

Margaret Bonds Select movements from Montgomery Variations 
I. Decision
II. Prayer Meeting
III. March 
VII. Benediction 
Samuel Barber Adagio for Strings with poetry commissioned by the CSO 
Wynton Marsalis Select movements from Blues Symphony  
II. Swimming in Sorrow
III. Reconstruction Rag  
IV. Danzón y Mambo, Choro y Samba

Artists

Cristian Mӑcelaru conductor 
Morris Robinson narrator & bass 
Rita Dove poet