The heritage of the African-American spiritual has fired the imagination of composers, performers, and audiences for more than a hundred years. Each generation has produced interpretations of many kinds, yet, curiously, rather few composers have combined the resources of soloist, choir, and orchestra.
John Rutter was inspired by the vocal artistry of Melanie Marshall to build a set of spirituals crafted to her personal style, partnered by choir, with the orchestra to supply an extra dimension of colour and emotional depth. Feel the Spirit received its concert première in Carnegie Hall in June 2001.
Cycle of seven spirituals for mixed choir, mezzo-soprano and orchestra (2.2(+ca).2.bcl.2-4.3.3.1-timp.2perc-hp-str) or chamber ensemble (1.1(+ca).1(+bcl).1-1.1.0.0-timp(+perc)-hp-str).
Recorded on Collegium COLCD 128 (Feel the Spirit).
Full scores and instrumental parts available on hire.
Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho
Steal away
I got a Robe
Sometimes I feel like a motherless Child
Ev'ry Time I feel the Spirit
Deep River
When the Saints go marching in
