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August 24- August 31,2003 |
These Lambs aren't silent
The Nathaniel Dett Chorale bring forth Afrocentric sounds
By Kerry Doole
Originally Published: 2003-01-19
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The Nathaniel Dett Chorale
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Given that they formed in 1998, it's been a long wait for the first CD from the Nathaniel Dett Chorale. Happily, it's here now in the form of Listen to the Lambs - The Music of R. Nathaniel Dett, a diverse but always compelling collection of choral music.
Chorale founder and artistic director Brainerd Blyden-Taylor acknowledges that "it has been a long time coming, both for the Chorale and for the music of Nathaniel Dett. Releasing a recording of his work is something I set as a goal for the Chorale. We were not formed strictly to do his music, but I certainly wanted to honour him."
If you draw a blank over the name of Dett, don't feel bad. "Canadians really didn't know much about his life or his music," notes Blyden-Taylor. "He was better known in the United States, because of his adult life and work there."
Dett is an Afro-Canadian composer we should be proud to claim, as his work has stood the test of time. The liner notes in Listen to the Lambs explain that he was born in the Southern Ontario community of Drummondville, one populated largely by blacks escaping slavery in the South. Dett was born there in 1882, then educated at Niagara Falls Collegiate Institute, and later in the U.S.
He studied in Paris, performed at Carnegie Hall and in front of two Presidents, taught at prestigious U.S. schools, and compiled an extensive and groundbreaking body of work.
Dett was dedicated to the cause of African Canadian and African American music, and his compositions were strongly influenced by spirituals and folk songs as well as more orthodox classical music elements.
His work served as an inspiration to Brainerd Blyden-Taylor. He's long been a leading figure in Toronto choral music, via a long stint as artistic director of the Orpheus Chamber Choir (1987-2002). He has conducted The Ontario Youth Choir and served as Music Director of some major gospel and chorale events across Canada.
The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is clearly his primary passion. It is Canada's first professional choral group dedicated to Afrocentric music of all styles, including classical, spiritual, jazz, gospel, folk and blues.
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