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The composer Elie Siegmeister once declared of Langston Hughes (1902-1967) that he was the “most musical poet of the twentieth century”. True or false, this judgement underscores the unquestionable fact that much of Hughes’s poetry lends itself fairly readily to musical setting, and that, for Hughes, music was perhaps a principal inspiration behind his writing. From popular forms to the more demanding jazz and classical repertoire, Langston Hughes found inspiration in the work of musicians. He adored music and took pride in the fascination that his poems and plays inspired in composers and performers.
This collection of songs written by 20th Century American composers on the poet's texts celebrates the centenary of his birth.
Langston Hughes: My People
My People
Robert Lee Owens: Heart on the Wall: Heart
Heart on the Wall: Heart
John Musto: Shadow of the Blues
Shadow of the Blues: Island
Langston Hughes: The Weary Blues
The Weary Blues
John Musto: Shadow of the Blues
Shadow of the Blues: Litany
William Grant Still: Songs of Separation
Songs of Separation: A Black Pierrot
Hale Smith: Beyond the Rim of Day
Beyond the Rim of Day: March Moon
Langston Hughes: Negro
Negro
Margaret Allison Bonds: The Negro Speaks of Rivers
The Negro Speaks of Rivers
Ricky Ian Gordon: Genius Child: My People
Genius Child: My People
Florence Beatrice Price: Songs to the Dark Virgin
Song to the Dark Virgin
Langston Hughes: Evil
Evil
Howard Swanson: Joy
Joy
Kurt Weill: Street Scene
Street Scene: Lonely House
Margaret Allison Bonds: 3 Dream Portraits
Three Dream Portraits: Minstrel Man
Langston Hughes: Sunday Morning Prophecy
Sunday Morning Prophecy
Harriette Davison: Fields of Wonder: In Time of Silver Rain
Fields of Wonder: In Time of Silver Rian
Jean Berger: 4 Songs
Four Songs of Langston Hughes: Carolina Cabin
Langston Hughes: Madam and the Census Taker
Madam and the Census Taker
Henry Harry Thacker Burleigh: Lovely dark and lonely one
Lovely, Dark and Lonely One
Langston Hughes: Sylvester's Dying Bed
Sylvester's Dying Bed
Erik Santos: Dreamer
Sandman / Birth
Bound No'th Blues
To Artina
Down where I am
The Dream Weaver / Bouquet
Langston Hughes: Still Here
Still Here
creativefolk.com
“This collection is a gem! Langston Hughes was a very "musical" poet who was inspired by a variety of forms, from jazz to classical. His poetry in turn inspired a whole generation of composers, thirteen of whom are represented here in fifteen art songs. Additionally, eight Hughes poems are read by William Warfield.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
My People