Credo

This seven-movement major work from American composer Margaret Bonds sets W.E.B. Du Bois' Credo text, one of the most iconic civil rights writings, by grouping Du Bois' nine articles into seven profound choral movements. Originally conceived with piano accompaniment rather than an orchestration, the piano accompaniment contained in this edition has been prepared from Bond's original score. The orchestration was added later and is available on rental. The text deals with issues of racial harmony while incorporating scriptural imagery of children in green pastures beside still waters, driving home the point that racial equality and justice are divinely ordained rather than privileges granted by humans. Bonds employs a beautiful and powerful melodic language with a rich harmonic palette creating a work with a wide emotional range and musical brilliance.