Songs of the Soul: An Exploration of Art Songs by Twentieth-Century African-American Composers

Abstract

When considering the breadth of American song literature, the works of African-American composers are not as commonly found within the standard music repertoire. When songs by African-American composers are performed in recital, they are typically limited to arrangements of spirituals. While these pieces certainly deserve a place in song recitals, this limited programming leaves audiences unaware of the rich history of contributions made to the genre of art song by African-American composers. This article seeks to fill this gap and serve as a reference for baritone music literature. The five musicians discussed are Modernists (Robert Owens and H. Leslie Adams) and Traditionalists (Camille Nickerson, Hall Johnson, and Margaret Bonds). Together, they present a rich variety of African-American classical music of the twentieth century. African Americans are not one-dimensional, and neither is the music that emanates from these composers. The pieces discussed contain elements of jazz, blues, and other musical idioms commonly found in the African-American tradition. The poetry presents a depiction of a culture not only filled with struggle but also rich in pride, music, and love.