On October 11th & 13th, A Far Cry presents CODED, a concert that explores the profound legacy of Black spirituals and their ongoing survival through “code-switching” in music. Featuring world-renowned bass-baritone Davóne Tines, CODED will be a journey through time, culture, and identity, with a program that includes works by Harry Burleigh, Antonín Dvořák, Frederick Tillis, and Tyshawn Sorey.
In addition to showcasing the evolution of spirituals, this concert also highlights the historic relationship between Burleigh and Dvořák, whose partnership helped solidify spirituals as one of America’s most significant musical forms.
Davóne Tines: A Voice for the Ages
Davóne Tines. Photo credit: Bowie Verschuuren
Davóne Tines is one of today’s most celebrated vocalists, known for his extraordinary ability to bring deep emotional resonance to every performance. Tines has made it his mission to elevate the Black spiritual as a vital part of the classical canon. His collaborations with ensembles like A Far Cry shine a spotlight on how spirituals have evolved while still retaining their roots in African American history and experience.
In CODED, Tines will perform alongside A Far Cry in a program that not only revisits timeless spirituals but also offers fresh perspectives, including the world premiere arrangement of Songs of Death for bass-baritone and string orchestra, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Tyshawn Sorey. This work for promises to be a moving meditation on loss, memory, and the ways in which spirituals continue to evolve in contemporary music.
Harry Burleigh: The Father of Spiritual Arrangements
At the heart of CODED is the legacy of Harry T. Burleigh, a groundbreaking African American composer and arranger whose work was instrumental in bringing Black spirituals into the mainstream of American classical music. Born in 1866, Burleigh made his mark by arranging traditional spirituals for concert performance.
Harry Burleigh
Burleigh’s influence on American music cannot be overstated. His arrangements of spirituals, such as Deep River and Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, not only preserved these important songs but also elevated them, showcasing their emotional depth and musical complexity. By blending the raw, emotional power of the spiritual with the formal structures of classical music, Burleigh created a new space for these songs within the broader American musical landscape.
The Dvořák-Burleigh Connection: A Historic Collaboration
One of the more interesting aspects of Harry Burleigh’s career is his relationship with celebrated Czech composer, Antonín Dvořák. In 1892, Dvořák became the director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City, where Burleigh was a student. The two formed a close relationship, and Burleigh frequently sang spirituals for Dvořák, introducing him to the rich musical heritage of African American spirituals.
Dvořák was deeply moved by the beauty of these songs, and they had a profound influence on his work—most notably his Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, better known as the New World Symphony. In this piece, Dvořák incorporated elements of spirituals, creating a symphony that reflected the diverse musical heritage of the United States.
In a letter, Dvořák famously wrote, “In the Negro melodies of America, I discover all that is needed for a great and noble school of music.” This belief—that the spiritual was a uniquely American form of music that could help shape the nation’s musical identity—was largely inspired by Burleigh’s influence.
CODED: A New Chapter in the Legacy of Spirituals
A Far Cry’s CODED continues the conversation Burleigh and Dvořák began over a century ago. Through performances of spirituals and works that explore their evolution, the concert delves into the complex history of these songs and their role in American music. From Burleigh’s pioneering arrangements to Dvořák’s “American” Quartet (which will be performed in an arrangement for string orchestra by A Far Cry’s own Sarah Darling), the concert highlights how spirituals have shaped—and continue to shape—our cultural and musical landscape.
The program also includes Frederick Tillis’ Spiritual Fantasy No. 12, II. Wade in the Water, another profound reimagining of a classic spiritual, arranged by Crier Francesca McNeeley, and three new string orchestra arrangements of spirituals by Crier Alex Fortes. These works, together with Burleigh’s legacy, form a powerful exploration of how spirituals have survived and thrived through the centuries, constantly adapting to new contexts while retaining their deep connection to African American history.
Join Us for CODED on October 11th & 13th
CODED is not just a concert; it’s a reflection on the power of music to carry history, culture, and emotion across generations. Join A Far Cry and Davóne Tines at NEC’s Jordan Hall on Friday, Oct. 11 at 7:30pm, and Connecticut College’s Evan’s Hall on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 3:00pm, for this unforgettable concert event, and experience firsthand how spirituals continue to resonate today.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Friday, October 11 & Sunday, October 13, 2024
🕣 Time: 7:30 PM & 3:00pm
📍 Location: NEC's Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough Street, Boston, MA; 270 Mohegan Avenue Parkway, New London, CT
🎟️ Tickets: Available HERE
Witness a musical journey that connects the past with the present and celebrates the enduring legacy of Black spirituals in American music.
