Brian Bowen

Day of the Spiritual

Early African-American songs contain a wealth of human expression, based on a yearning for freedom and biblical deliverance. This rhapsodic work combines Spirituals and Blues as the composer visualises a Camp Meeting whereecstatic utterances and spontaneous solo outbursts occur. These eventually become disorderly and uncontrollable, leading to a frenzy and collapse. With order and calm resorted, the music leads to an exultant conclusion. Included:I Stood on the River of Jordan - Balm in Gilead - Michael, Row the Boat Ashore - Wade in the Water.