Donald Macleod explores the life and music of African American composer Margaret Bonds

This week, Donald Macleod is joined by musicologist and pianist Dr Samantha Ege to delve into the life and music of African American pioneer composer, Margaret Bonds (1913-1972). Bonds was one of the most important composers and pianists of her time. She wrote several dozens of art songs, arranged many traditional spirituals, and composed large-scale cantatas. From her native Chicago where she was the first black performer to play with the Symphony Orchestra to the buzzing stages of New York where she set poetic gems to music, and at a time of racial discrimination and fight for civil rights, her story is one of determination, friendship, and absolute dedication to music-making. As such the programme does include some language of the period.

Music Featured:

Joy Trad, arr Bonds: Little David Play on Your Harp The Pasture Spiritual Suite; No 1, The Valley of the Bones To a Brown Dead Girl Trad, arr Bonds: Lord, I Just Can’t Keep from Cryin’ Florence Price: Fantasie Nègre No 1 in E minor Flamenco Tangamerican Simon Bore the Cross Trad, arr Bonds: Didn’t It Rain The Negro Speaks of Rivers Three Dream Portraits Trad, arr Bonds: Ezek’el Saw the Wheel Four Songs Trad, arr Bonds: Peter, Go Ring dem Bells Spiritual Suite; No 2, The Bells The Ballad of the Brown King Trad, arr Bonds: Joshua Fit da Battle of Jericho (arr for voice and chamber ensemble by P. Spray) Trad, arr Bonds: I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free Trad, arr Bonds: He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands Trad: Wade in the Water Spiritual Suite; No 3, Troubled Water Montgomery Variations Fugal Dance When the Dove Enters In Songs of the Seasons Credo Trad, arr Bonds: Hold On (arr for voice and chamber ensemble by P. Spray) Simon Bore the Cross (mvt VIII)

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Julien Rosa for BBC Audio Wales & West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Franz Liszt (1811-1886) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0023y4n

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z