For this New Sounds, listen to music that is rooted in the shape-note singing tradition from the 19th century, with tunes and texts directly taken from Protestant hymnals, and other works originally notated in "shape notes" (square, round, triangular, and diamond-shaped note heads) that enabled non-music reading congregations to sing them. Listen to a brand new duo recording from trumpeter Dave Douglas and pianist Uri Caine, who arranged some of these tunes, and wrote originals inspired by these shape-note hymns, but wordless. Then, from Anonymous 4, listen to vocal renditions of these tunes, where the quartet sings the hymn through in the solfège syllables (do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti) before adding words on the second time around.
Also, hear music from the late composer William Duckworth who reworked these 19th century hymns, in an effort to translate them from church to a concert setting. Plus, music from Sam Amidon and his latest record, "Bright Sunny South," hear the tune "Weeping Mary," which Sam's parents had recorded with the shape-note singing group, the Word of Mouth Chorus, in 1977.
PROGRAM #3617 New Approaches to Shape Note Hymns (First aired on 7/15/2014)
ARTIST(S) | RECORDING | CUT(S) | SOURCE |
Word of Mouth Chorus | Rivers of Delight | Weeping Mary (LP Version) | Nonesuch 71360 |
Sam Amidon | I see the sign | Kedron [2:57] | Bedroom Community Records HVALUR9 |
Dave Douglas & Uri Caine | Present Joys | Supplication [3:03] | Greenleaf Music |
Brooklyn Youth Chorus | New Sounds Live @ WFC, Oct 12, 2011 | Am I Born to Die [3:03] | This performance not commercially available. |
Members of the Brooklyn Phil; Alan Pierson conductor/ Brooklyn Youth Chorus (Dianne Berkun, dir.)/ Melissa Hughes, soprano | New Sounds Live @ WFC, Oct 12, 2011 | David T Little: Am I Born, excerpt [6:44] | This performance not commercially available. |
Dave Douglas & Uri Caine | Present Joys | Soar Away [3:58] | See above. |
Anonymous 4 | American Angels | Crossing: Sweet Prospect (On Jordan's stormy banks I stand) [3:08] | Harmonia Mundi # HMU 907326 |
The Gregg Smith Singers, chorus; assisted by The Rooke Chapel Choir of Bucknell University | Southern Harmony | William Duckworth: Bozrah [2:03] | Lovely Music - #2033 |
Anonymous 4 | American Angels | Journey: The Morning Trumpet (O when shall I see Jesus) [3:27] | See above. |
The Gregg Smith Singers, chorus; assisted by The Rooke Chapel Choir of Bucknell University | Southern Harmony | William Duckworth: Leander [2:49] | See above. |
Sam Amidon | Bright Sunny South | Weeping Mary | Nonesuch 530858 |
