The Chariot Jubilee

This spellbinding, free fantasia-like oratorio is thought to be the first-ever symphonic work based solely on African-American spirituals and folklore. Originally written and performed in 1919, the orchestration was lost for decades but was re-created 80 years later, enabling new performances including for Martin Luther King's 70th birthday. Spirituals, African-American folk songs, and lines from the Bible form the basis of the text sung by both the solo tenor and the chorus. Using piano, organ, or orchestral accompaniment, the free form of the text embraces a number of styles that can be heard throughout. An exuberant work that bursts with life, this work certainly deserves a place in the concert repertoire.