The Dessoff Choirs - Margaret Bonds: The Ballad of the Brown King & Selected Songs (2019)

New York City-based The Dessoff Choirs & Orchestra, with conductor Malcolm J. Merriweather give the world-premiere recording of 20th-century African-American composer Margaret Bonds’ Christmas cantata, The Ballad of the Brown King, alongside a selection of specially arranged songs performed by baritone Merriweather with harpist and Bonds authority Ashley Jackson.

20th-century African-American composer Margaret Bonds receives long overdue recognition with the world-premiere recording of her crowning achievement, The Ballad of the Brown King. With an expressly written libretto by Bonds’ friend Langston Hughes, this Christmas cantata which focuses on Balthazar, the dark-skinned king who journeyed to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Jesus Christ, is beautifully interpreted by New York City-based The Dessoff Choirs and Orchestra, outstanding soloists soprano Laquita Mitchell, mezzo-soprano Lucia Bradford and tenor Noah Stewart, under the baton of their charismatic conductor, Malcolm J. Merriweather. Bonds authority Dr. Ashley Jackson contributes the inspired liner notes.
Tracklist
01. The Ballad of the Brown King: I. Of the Three Wise Men
02. The Ballad of the Brown King: II. They Brought Fine Gifts
03. The Ballad of the Brown King: III. Sing Alleluia
04. The Ballad of the Brown King: IV. Mary Had a Little Baby
05. The Ballad of the Brown King: V. Now When Jesus Was Born
06. The Ballad of the Brown King: VI. Could He Have Been an Ethiope:
07. The Ballad of the Brown King: VII. Oh, Sing of the King Who Was Tall and Brown
08. The Ballad of the Brown King: VIII. That Was a Christmas Long Ago
09. The Ballad of the Brown King: IX. Alleluia
10. To a Brown Girl Dead
11. Winter Moon
12. Three Dream Portraits: I. Minstrel Man
13. Three Dream Portraits: II. Dream Variation
14. Three Dream Portraits: III. I, Too