'Words and Music of Black America'

This National Poetry Month, join host Andrea Blain for Words and Music of Black America, a special featuring music with texts by Black poets. These works raise issues of civil rights, social justice, racial divides, and freedom in diverse and sometimes surprising ways. Listen now!

Playlist

• Jake Runestad: “Why the Caged Bird Sings” - Conspirare; Craig Hella Johnson, conductor

• Florence Price: “Sympathy” - Louise Toppin, soprano

• Valerie Coleman: Portraits of Langston: I. Prelude (Helen Keller) - Anthony McGill, clarinet; McHale Trio

• Langston Hughes: Portraits of Langston: Introduction No. 1 (“Helen Keller”) - Mahershala Ali, narrator

• Margaret Bonds: Three Dream Portraits: “I, Too” - Malcolm J. Merriweather, baritone

• Jessie Montgomery: Break Away - PUBLIQuartet

• Damien Geter: Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow: “The Resolve” - Washington Chorus; Eugene Rogers, conductor

• Jeff Scott: Homage to Paradise Valley: IV. Paradise Theater Jump! - Akropolis Reed Quintet

• Marsha Music: The Valley, the Bottom, and Hastings Street: Pt. 1 “Long Ago but Not Forgotten” - Marsha Music, narrator

• Rosephanye Powell: “Still I Rise” - Twin Cities Women’s Choir; Mary Bussman, conductor

• Damien Sneed: “The Gift to Sing” - Lawrence Brownlee, tenor

• Margaret Bonds: “Credo” – Janinah Burnett, soprano; Dessoff Choirs; Malcolm J. Merriweather, conductor

• Bernice Johnson Reagon: “Beatitudes” - Sweet Honey in the Rock

• Richard Farina Arr. Will Liverman: “Birmingham Sunday” - Will Liverman, baritone

• Aaron Copland: Lincoln Portrait - Maya Angelou; Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; Louis Langrée, conductor

• Joel Thompson: “Seven Last Words of the Unarmed” - Tyrese Byrd, soloist; EXIGENCE; Eugene Rogers, conductor

• John Stephens, Lonnie Lynn and Che Smith: Selma: “Glory” - LaVonte Heard, soloist; EXIGENCE; Eugene Rogers, conductor

• Regina Harris Baiocchi: Piano Poems - Sarah Cahill, piano