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Classical Music Review


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The Composers

 

Composers: Florence Price and Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins
Performed by: Gerry Bryant (piano) and Mark Cargill (violin)
Label: Navona Records
navonarecords.com
RRP: £13.99
NV6489
Release Date: 13 January 2023


Navona Records and pianist Gerry Bryant present The Composers, an album consisting solely of music by exceptionally talented and prolific black classical music composers who have been overlooked throughout history. Featured within are the works of Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins, a slave who was perhaps the first black American classical music composer, and Florence Price, whose music has so moved Bryant that he has included her in his list of favourite composers. Violinist Mark Cargill joins Bryant on select works throughout the album, a perfect addition to Bryant’s passionate approach to the keys...

This, the first in a proposed series of albums, focuses on the work of black classical music composers. Here we get a taste of the work of Florence Price and Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins. Price. For more of Price's body of work you might also like to check out Azica Records's Uncovered: Vol 2. Price is an incredibly talented composer, whose work is never dull and always diverse. This is the first time I've heard Wiggins' work and I have to confess that the two composer's styles compliment each other wonderfully.

Notable highlights for me include Price's 'Placid Lake'. It's hauntingly engaging and instantly memorable. Wiggins' 'Water in the Moonlight' feels wonderfully like the reworked soundtrack to a classic silent movie.

While Gerry Bryant's piano work is flawless it's his duos with violinist Mark Cargill where he really comes alive. This is an essential collection for classical music lovers.

Track listing:

Florence Price
01. Sonata in E Minor: II. (7:13)
02. Andante Con Espressione (4:37)
03. Song Without Words (2:13)

Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins
04. The Sewing Song (8:24)

Florence Price
05. Placid Lake (2:58)
06. The Deserted Garden (2:37)
07. Dark Pool (3:35)

Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins
08. Wellenklange (Voice of the Waves) (8:33)

Florence Price
09. Sketches in Sepia (4:04)
10. O Holy Lord (4:12)
11. Honeysuckle (1:50)

Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins
12. Water in the Moonlight (3:28)

Florence Price
13. Lord I Want to Be a Christian (3:20)

Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins
14. Reve Charmant (8:22)

Florence Price
15. Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child (5:14)

9

Darren Rea

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