Eugene Concert Choir & Orchestra, Dr. Diane Retallack, Exigence & Dr. Eugene Rogers - Black Is Beautiful (Live) (2024)

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL from Dr. Diane Retallack and The Eugene Concert Choir is an ode to hope in the face of injustice. This Navona Records release showcases music by Black composers that shed light on the Black experience including two choral masterworks: Seven Last Words of the Unarmed by Joel Thompson and the world premiere recording of Dr. Undine Smith Moore’s oratorio Scenes from the Life of a Martyr.

Thompson’s composition is modeled after Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of Christ; in this work, Joel Thompson quotes the last words of seven unarmed African American men killed by police or authority figures. Moore’s oratorio depicts the life of Martin Luther King, Jr, from birth to carefree childhood, young love, a calling to amplify the voice of his people, the hatred he experienced for his commitment, the grief of his untimely death, and the power of his message.

These works are joined by the world premiere of The Hymn! by Stacey V. Gibbs and an arrangement of Glory from the film Selma by Dr. Eugene Rogers.

Tracklist
01 - The Hymn! (Live)
02 - 7 Last Words of the Unarmed_ No. 1, Why Do You Have Your Guns Out_ (Live)
03 - 7 Last Words of the Unarmed_ No. 2, What Are You Following Me For_ (Live)
04 - 7 Last Words of the Unarmed_ No. 3, Mom, I'm Going to College (Live)
05 - 7 Last Words of the Unarmed_ No. 4, I Don't Have a Gun. Stop Shooting (Live)
06 - 7 Last Words of the Unarmed_ No. 5, You Shot Me! You Shot Me! (Live)
07 - 7 Last Words of the Unarmed_ No. 6, It's Not Real (Live)
08 - 7 Last Words of the Unarmed_ No. 7, I Can't Breathe (Live)
09 - Glory (From _Selma_) (Live)
10 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ Prologue (Live)
11 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 1, Whenever a People Is Oppressed They Wait in Hope (Live)
12 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 2, His Mother Rocked Him Gently with Love and Freedom on Her Mind (
13 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 3, Songs at the Cradle I (Live)
14 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 4, Songs at the Cradle II (Live)
15 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 5, Songs at the Cradle III (Live)
16 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 6, Ring Game (Live)
17 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 7, Young Manhood (Live)
18 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 8, The Voice of My Beloved (Live)
19 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 9, Arise My Love, My Fair One (Live)
20 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 10, Set Me as a Seal on Thy Heart (Live)
21 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 11, He Hath Anointed Me to Preach the Gospel (Live)
22 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 12, I Never Felt Such Love in My Soul Before (Live)
23 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 13, The People Loved Him (Live)
24 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 14, Martin's Song (Live)
25 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 15, A Good Man (Live)
26 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 16, Martin's Lament (Live)
27 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 17, Oh God, How Many Are Them That Hate Me (Live)
28 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 18, Words in the Mourning Time (Live)
29 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 19, They Tell Me Martin Is Dead (Live)
30 - Scenes from the Life of a Martyr_ No. 20, Tell All My Father's People Don't You Grieve for Me (Live)