Deep River / Alchymy Viols

$14.99
Label
Navona
Release Date
August 30, 2024
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      Margaret Bonds, Harry Thacker Burleigh, William L. Dawson, Roland Hayes, Moses Hogan, Jr. Nolan Will
    • PERFORMER
      Alchymy Viols, Michael Walker II
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      August 30, 2024
    • UPC
      808857149237
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      NV6650
    • LABEL
      Navona
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Orchestral & Symphonic
    Works ⌄

    1. Over My Head

      Composer: Traditional

      Performer: Michael Walker II

    2. Deep River (arr. M. Hogan and P. Spray for voice and chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Performer: Michael Walker II

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    3. Walk Together Children (arr. M. Hogan and P. Spray for chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    4. Joshua Fit da Battle of Jericho (arr. M.A. Bonds and P. Spray for voice and chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Performer: Michael Walker II

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    5. My Lord What a Morning (arr. H.T. Burleigh and P. Spray for chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    6. I Don't Feel No-Ways Tired (arr. H.T. Burleigh and P. Spray for chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    7. Give Me Jesus (arr. M. Hogan and P. Spray for voice and chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Performer: Michael Walker II

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    8. Hard Trials (arr. H.T. Burleigh and P. Spray for chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    9. Weepin' Mary (arr. H.T. Burleigh and P. Spray for voice and chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Performer: Michael Walker II

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    10. From the Southland: I. Through Moanin' Pines (arr. S. Hall for harp)

      Composer: Henry Thacker Burleigh

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Performer: Stephanie Hall

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    11. Soon Ah Will Be Done (arr. W.L. Dawson and P. Spray for voice and chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Performer: Michael Walker II

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    12. Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child (arr. H.T. Burleigh and P. Spray for voice and chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Performer: Michael Walker II

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    13. Steal Away (arr. H.T. Burleigh and P. Spray for chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    14. Ezek'el Saw the Wheel (arr. M.A. Bonds and P. Spray for voice and chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Performer: Michael Walker II

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    15. Plantation Melodies Old and New: No. 6. Negro Lullaby (arr. P. Spray for chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Cecil Burleigh

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    16. The Life of Christ: The Passion of Our Lord: He Never Said a Mumberlin' Word

      Composer: Roland Hayes

      Performer: Michael Walker II

    17. Roun' About de Mountain (arr. R. Hayes and P. Spray for voice and chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Performer: Michael Walker II

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    18. Every Time I Feel the Spirit (arr. N. Williams Jr. and P. Spray for chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    19. The Life of Christ: Christ's Birth, Boyhood and Ministry: Plenty Good Room: The Passion of Our Lordt (arr. P. Spray for voice and chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Roland Hayes

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Performer: Michael Walker II

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    20. Hold On (arr. M.A. Bonds and P. Spray for voice and chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Performer: Michael Walker II

      Conductor: Philip Spray

    21. Walk Together Children (arr. M. Hogan and P. Spray for voice and chamber ensemble)

      Composer: Traditional

      Ensemble: Alchymy Viols

      Performer: Michael Walker II

      Conductor: Philip Spray


One might be tempted to think that there is no crossover in music that hasn't been done yet; and thankfully, one would be mistaken. DEEP RIVER presents a vibrant selection of 21 African American spirituals, interpreted by countertenor Michael Walker II and Old Music consort Alchymy Viols. A curious collaboration? Not at all, according to director Philip Spray. The viol consort's historical purpose was to arrange popular tunes of it's day; so it appeared only logical to try this setup on America's first folk songs. It worked. Additional harmonies are provided by a distinctly anachronistic grand harp, and counterpoint by a small field pump organ. The effect is stunning: a music so utterly, distinctly American, one wonders why this hasn't been done before.