Requiem For The Enslaved
Decca, 2022
8/10
Listen to Requiem For The Enslaved
The US composer Carlos Simon takes help from text by Marco Pavé for these new works commissioned by Georgetown University for spoken word, ensemble and piano, as they honor those who suffered throughout the slave trade years.
The title track opens the listen with MK Zulu, Carlos Simon and Hub New Music allowing the stirring strings, soulful brass and soothing winds that are complemented by strategic spoken word in the sometimes dreamy, other times frisky and even haunting climate.
In the middle, the solo piano of “Light Everlasting” displays profoundly skilled playing that packs much beauty and emotion into the 3 minutes, while “In Paradisium” uses well timed horns and calming keys to make for a very intimate landscape.
“We All Found Heaven” exits the listen, and it’s a dreamy, absorbing display of graceful piano and hazy brass that’s quite captivating in its textured nature.
Simon brings his jazz and gospel history into the affair, and the cultural moments are sprinkled across the entire listen with much care, making for a substantial listen both musically and lyrically.
Travels well with: Albrecht Mayer- Mozart: Works For Oboe And Orchestra/Piano; Daniil Trifonov- BACH: The Art Of Life