Performances & Events

There is a rich tradition of Black composers, conductors, and musicians in classical music, from William Grant Still, Scott Joplin, and Florence Price to Marian Anderson and Jessye Norman.The Apollo, WQXR and ACO present Deep River: Black Currents in Classical Music, broadcast live from New York Public Radio’s The Greene Space. Howard Watkins, renowned pianist and assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera, curates a recital delving into the rich repertoire by Black American composers, featuring internationally acclaimed soprano Karen Slack and baritone Kenneth Overton. Following the performance, WNYC host Jami Floyd will lead a panel discussion with the performers and composer Carlos Simon, about the over 100-year tradition of Blacks as creators, conductors, and patrons of classical music.ProgramWilliam Grant Still (1895-1978) | Weeping AngelMr. OvertonWilliam Grant Still | Selections from Songs of Separation: --Idolatry--If I Should Go--Black PierrotMs. SlackMargaret Bonds (1913-1972) | Dream Variation from Three Dream PortraitsFlorence Price (1887-1953) | To My Little SonH. Leslie Adams (b.1932) | Love ResponseMr. OvertonTerence Blanchard (b.1962) | “Far Away Long Ago” from ChampionMs. SlackAdolphus Hailstork (b.1941) | My Heart to Thy HeartMr. OvertonUndine Smith Moore (1904-1989) | I Want to Die While You Love MeCarlos Simon (b.1965) | PrayerMs. SlackCarlos Simon Dead FiresMr. OvertonZenobia Powell Perry (1908-2004) | De Angels Done Bowed DownMs. Slackarr Timothy Amukele (b.1976) Stand the StormMr. Overtonarr Margaret Bonds You Can Tell the WorldMs. SlackTo learn more about The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout on May 7, 2022, click here. For a full listing of community events, click here.