“Were You There” Harry T. Burleigh: T. Cunningham, arr., Lucia Bradford, Mezzo

Mezzo-soprano Lucia Bradford and the Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra perform Harry T. Burleigh’s concert spiritual “Were You There” (1917). Arranged for string orchestra by Dr. Thomas Cunningham, this unique performance was part of the orchestra’s “Lineage and Heritage” series in which the Harry T. Burleigh Society and the Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra joined to present works by Harry T. Burleigh (1866-1949) and S. Coleridge Taylor (1875-1912). The friendship of these African American and African English men provided mutual support that inspired them to create works that embraced underrepresented black musical and literary themes which shaped turn of the 20th century culture. With a transatlantic approach, they were active in the intellectual circles of their day, corresponding with Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. This concert invites listeners to consider their production of western music, not outside, but within the veil.
The concert took place on Friday, March 9, 2018 at Calvary Church, of the Calvary-St. George’s Parish where Burleigh was baritone soloist for over 50 years.
The Harry T. Burleigh Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that advances Burleigh Studies through scholarship and performance. African American baritone and composer H. T. Burleigh (1866-1949) is the leader of arranging and publishing the solo concert spiritual. The Society collects and supports scholarship about Burleigh and the concert spiritual, and promotes performances of Burleigh’s compositions. Grounded in African American history and culture and committed to social justice, the Society fosters interrelationships between scholars, artists, and institutions through enabling the accessibility, audibility and legibility of Burleigh’s work.
Founded in 2014, Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra's purpose is to collaborate anywhere, anytime, with anyone. An orchestra for the 21st century, Urban Playground is malleable in size, genre and venue, aiming to create engaging programming and push traditional boundaries through collaboration, performances of lesser known works and revitalized takes on classic works. We prioritize the music of African American and female composers to further enliven the classical canon. Musicians from Urban Playground currently play with the New York Philharmonic, West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, New World Symphony, and Detroit Symphony Orchestra, among other leading groups.
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