Cantus + Imani Winds
IW: Titilayo Ayangade/C: Nate Ryan
Imani Winds, left, and Cantus.
Imani Winds, left, and Cantus.
Grammy-nominated Imani Winds and vocal ensemble Cantus — both known for pushing classical music beyond its traditional boundaries — join forces for a program that looks backward and forward at the same time. In a program titled “My Ancestors Speak,” the groups explore American spirituals and Hawaiian songs alongside music from modern composers ranging from Gloria Estefan to Chen Yi. The program also includes newly commissioned pieces by Angélica Negrón and Alex Weiser. It’s an intriguing pairing and a chance to hear two adventurous ensembles find common ground in a wide range of music.
media release: Synergy defined: That’s the only way to describe a pairing of chamber group Imani Winds and vocal ensemble Cantus, whose “exalting finesse” and “spontaneous grace” wowed The Washington Post. Both ensembles started out on a mission to change the face of classical music, and after a combined four decades of experience, both have become standard-bearers, proving that artistic excellence paired with intentional programming delivers stellar results. And this special ancestry-themed concert, titled "My Ancestors Speak," will be no exception. Get ready for something exceptional, thought-provoking, and uplifting all at once at this concert featuring new versions of traditional spirituals and cutting-edge works by composers from a variety of backgrounds.
Program: My Ancestors Speak
Red Clay and Mississippi Delta — Valerie Coleman
How Can I Keep from Singing? — Robert Lowry, arr. Stephen Caracciolo
Mi Tierra — Gloria Estefan, arr. Yosvany Estepe Diaz
Vocalise 2 (from Wind Horse) — Tōru Takemitsu
Feng, mvt. 1 - Introduction — Chen Yi
Feng, mvt. 2 - Rondo — Chen Yi
Rocking Jerusalem (from Three American Spirituals) — Traditional, arr. Jeff Scott
Mr. Banjo (from Three American Spirituals) — Traditional, arr. Jeff Scott
Balm in Gilead (from Three American Spirituals) — Traditional, arr. Jeff Scott
Ku’u Ipo I Ka He’e Pu’e One — Miriam Likelike, arr. Marsha Schweitzer and Chris Foss
Left — Angélica Negrón (NEWLY COMMISSIONED)
My Ancestors Speak — Alex Weiser (NEWLY COMMISSIONED)
