Sing With All Your Soul

Donald Macleod and musicologist and pianist Dr Samantha Ege, celebrate the art of songwriting as Margaret Bonds opens a grand new chapter of her life in New York City.

Margaret Bonds (1913-1972) 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.

In this third programme, we look at Margaret Bonds' incredibly prolific work on art songs, collaborating with some of the most inspiring poets, including Langston Hughes. But Chicago is becoming too small for her ambition. New York is next, with all its exciting opportunities, and its challenges too.

Trad, arr Bonds: Ezek’el Saw the Wheel
Darryl Taylor, countenor
Brent McMunn, piano

George Gershwin: Summertime (from Porgy and Bess)
Abbie Mitchell, soprano
George Gershwin, piano and conductor

Four Songs
Will Liverman, baritone
Jonathan King, piano

Trad, arr Bonds: Peter, Go Ring dem Bells
Darryl Taylor, countenor
Brent McMunn, piano

Spiritual Suite; No 2, The Bells
Samantha Ege, piano

Peach Tree Street
Billy Kyle, piano
O’Neil Spencer, vocals and drums
Milt Herth, organ

The Ballad of the Brown King
Laquita Mitchell, soprano
Lucia Bradford, mezzo-soprano
Noah Stewart, tenor
The Dessoff Choirs & Orchestra
Malcolm J. Merriweather, conductor

Produced by Julien Rosa
A BBC Audio Wales & West production for BBC Radio 3