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Hold On, We Shall Overcome! with Nathaniel Gumbs

Power to the People! Festival

Sun / May 29, 2022 - 7:30PM

The Director of Chapel Music at Yale University reimagines traditional hymns, spirituals, and concert music with 21st-century perspective.

No Longer Available

Program

    • About the Program, notes by Christopher Russell
    • HOLLINS
    • Concert Overture No. 2 in C minor
    • KARG-ELERT
    • “Harmonies du Soir,” Op. 72, No. 1 (from Three Impressions for Organ)
    • First Sonata for Organ
    • Intermission
    • TRADITIONAL (ARR. BY JOSEPH JOUBERT)
    • “Hold On” (world premiere, commissioned by N. Gumbs)
    • TRADITIONAL (ARR. BY JOHN STODDART)
    • “Soon-a will be done” (world premiere, commissioned by N. Gumbs)
    • TRADITIONAL (ARR. WILLIAM BOLCOM)
    • “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (from Gospel Preludes, Book 1)
    • Uzee BROWN
    • Church Yard Chatter
    • TRADITIONAL (ARR. CARL HAYWOOD)
    • “We Shall Overcome”

About this Performance

Nathaniel Gumbs honed his musical craft learning to play by ear in his Baptist church in the Bronx, sneaking in on Saturday nights to teach himself how to play the church’s organ. Now serving as Director of Chapel Music at Yale University, Gumbs has championed traditional spirituals, recording an album with Dashon Burton titled Songs of Struggle, as well as underperformed music of Black composers. Hold On, We Shall Overcome! presents concert music of western European and African American composers, world premiere arrangements of traditional hymns, and spirituals from the vibrant Black church tradition.

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