The oppressed slaves of the New World expressed their feelings, misery and faith in music. The African rhythms of their homeland, the pitiful conditions in which they barely survived, the hope they found in their Christian faith: all these elements together became the breeding ground of the Negro Spiritual.

The simple but intense a cappella songs that were born in the American cotton fields would later play an important political role by giving voice to the civil rights struggle. This fabulous music has since produced countless great classics, which the Flemish Radio Choir performs with the British gospel specialist Ken Burton.

With: Pierre Anckaert (piano), Janos Bruneel (double bass), Steven Cassiers (drums), Gudrun Vercampt, Karel Ingelaere (violin), Victor Guaita (viola), Johannes Burghoff (cello)

programme

O Happy Day
Let My People Go*
When The Saints*
Amazing Grace*
Total Praise
Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho*
There is Balm in Gilead*
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child*
Nobody Knows*
Down By The Riverside*
Walk With Me*
We Shall Walk Through The Valley of Peace
Swing Low Sweet Chariot*
Oh What A Beautiful City*
The Gospel Train*
From New World Symphony: Going Home
Roll Jordan Roll*
* arr. Ken Burton

practical