PROGRAM
Anonymous 4: "The Sacred Harp"
Sweet Hour: First published in 1844 and in continuous use since, the Sacred Harp is an American tunebook that assigns to each musical note a shape (whether a diamond, triangle, round, or square) and a corresponding syllable ("me," "faw," "sol," or "law") in a system devised to simplify singing for participants who might otherwise be unable to read music. This week the widely beloved ensemble Anonymous 4 offers us distinctive songs of this country's own early vocal traditions. They'll sing shape-note music from the Sacred Harp along with several other affecting songs of our folk and gospel heritage.
MUSIC PLAYED IN THE PROGRAM
- Folk hymn: Holy Manna (Brethren, we have met to worship)
- Folk hymn: Abbeville (Come, Holy Spirit, come)
- Folk hymn: New Britain (Amazing grace, how sweet the sound)
- Gospel song: Sweet Hour of Prayer
- Camp revival song: Jewett (Amazing grace, how sweet the sound)
- Psalm tune: Poland (God of my life, look gently down)
- Religious ballad: Wayfaring Stranger (I am a poor, wayfaring stranger)
- Gospel song: Sweet By and By (There's a land that is fairer than day)
- Fuging tune: Blooming Vale (O were I like a feathered dove)
- Gospel tune: Wondrous Love
- Folk tune: Idumea
- Gospel song: Shall We Gather at the River
- Gospel song: Angel Band (My latest sun is sinking fast)
MIXED COMPANY
POSTED BY SUZANNE SCHAFFER ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2006
Visual Contrasts
We recorded Anonymous 4 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in north St. Paul (rather than in the studio) so that the last notes of their music could resonate and linger like the singing you might hear in a cathedral or another large, echoey space. It turned out to be an acoustically, and especially visually, stunning change of scenery. (more)
