Hannibal Lokumbe's "Dear Mrs. Parks" is a profound and moving choral work, released on Naxos in December 2009. This 58-minute album is a heartfelt tribute to Rosa Parks, weaving together powerful narratives and soul-stirring melodies that honor her legacy and the broader struggle for civil rights. Composed with a blend of choral and solo vocal performances, the album features pieces like "For We Have Walked the Streets of Babylon" and "Seeds of the World," each offering a unique perspective on themes of sacrifice, hope, and resilience. Lokumbe's masterful composition invites listeners to reflect on the enduring impact of Parks' courage and the collective journey towards justice and equality. With its rich, emotive arrangements and poignant lyrics, "Dear Mrs. Parks" stands as a testament to the power of music to inspire and unite.
2009 Naxos2009 Naxos
Tracks
Dear Mrs. Parks: A Prayer for the World (Audience) - The Over Soul Sends to Us [Chorus]Hannibal Lokumbe, Janice Chandler Eteme, Jevetta Steele, Kevin Deas, Taylor Lee Gardner, Rackham Symphony Choir, Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Wilkins
Dear Mrs. Parks: A Prayer for the World (Soprano, Mezzo-soprano, Bass, Chorus)Hannibal Lokumbe, Janice Chandler Eteme, Jevetta Steele, Kevin Deas, Taylor Lee Gardner, Rackham Symphony Choir, Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Wilkins
Dear Mrs. Parks: For We Have Walked the Streets of Babylon, Forty Thousand Strong (Chorus)Hannibal Lokumbe, Janice Chandler Eteme, Jevetta Steele, Kevin Deas, Taylor Lee Gardner, Rackham Symphony Choir, Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Wilkins
Dear Mrs. Parks: In Sacrifice (Chorus)Hannibal Lokumbe, Janice Chandler Eteme, Jevetta Steele, Kevin Deas, Taylor Lee Gardner, Rackham Symphony Choir, Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Wilkins
Dear Mrs. Parks: For the Future (Chorus)Hannibal Lokumbe, Janice Chandler Eteme, Jevetta Steele, Kevin Deas, Taylor Lee Gardner, Rackham Symphony Choir, Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Wilkins
Dear Mrs. Parks: Seeds of the World (Bass, Chorus)Hannibal Lokumbe, Janice Chandler Eteme, Jevetta Steele, Kevin Deas, Taylor Lee Gardner, Rackham Symphony Choir, Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Wilkins
Dear Mrs. Parks: Songs from Heaven Falling (Soprano, Chorus)Hannibal Lokumbe, Janice Chandler Eteme, Jevetta Steele, Kevin Deas, Taylor Lee Gardner, Rackham Symphony Choir, Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Wilkins
Dear Mrs. Parks: Like Luminous Rain Upon the Daughters of Isis (Mezzo-soprano, Chorus)Hannibal Lokumbe, Janice Chandler Eteme, Jevetta Steele, Kevin Deas, Taylor Lee Gardner, Rackham Symphony Choir, Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Wilkins
Dear Mrs. Parks: Giving Their Children the Will to Continue (Child Soprano, Chorus)Hannibal Lokumbe, Janice Chandler Eteme, Jevetta Steele, Kevin Deas, Taylor Lee Gardner, Rackham Symphony Choir, Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Wilkins
Dear Mrs. Parks: Singing a Prayer for the Souls of the World (All)Hannibal Lokumbe, Janice Chandler Eteme, Jevetta Steele, Kevin Deas, Taylor Lee Gardner, Rackham Symphony Choir, Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Wilkins
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