Twentieth-century African American composer Margaret Bonds receives long overdue recognition with the world premiere recording of her crowning achievement, The Ballad of the Brown King. With an expressly written libretto by Bonds' friend Langston Hughes, this Christmas cantata which focuses on Balthazar, the dark-skinned king who journeyed to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Jesus Christ, is beautifully interpreted by New York City-based The Dessoff Choirs and Orchestra, outstanding soloists soprano Laquita Mitchell, mezzo-soprano Lucia Bradford and tenor Noah Stewart, under the baton of their charismatic conductor, Malcolm J. Merriweather. Bonds authority Dr. Ashley Jackson contributes the inspired liner notes. This unique seasonal album also includes a selection of specially arranged songs, including a setting of Hughes' seminal poem I, Too, Sing America, performed by baritone Merriweather and Jackson on solo harp.

Tracklist:

The Ballad Of The Brown King: I. Of The Three Wise Men
The Ballad Of The Brown King: II. They Brought Fine Gifts
The Ballad Of The Brown King: III. Sing Alleluia
The Ballad Of The Brown King: IV. Mary Had A Little Baby
The Ballad Of The Brown King: V. Now When Jesus Was Born
The Ballad Of The Brown King: VI. Could He Have Been An Ethiope?
The Ballad Of The Brown King: VII. Oh, Sing Of The King Who Was Tall And Brown
The Ballad Of The Brown King: VIII. That Was A Christmas Long Ago
The Ballad Of The Brown King: IX. Alleluia
To A Brown Girl Dead
Winter Moon
Three Dream Portraits: I. Minstrel Man
Three Dream Portraits: II. Dream Variation
Three Dream Portraits: III. I, Too

UPC: 822252241327
Label: Avie
Release Date: 11.1.19
Format: CD

Bonds / Dessoff Choirs / Bradford - Ballad of the Brown King (CD)