John Michael Cooper: KNOWING MARGARET BONDS (presentation for LLGTX, June 2024)

Описание: This presentation draws on previously unadduced archival evidence to offer a new view of the life and work of Margaret Jeanette Allison Bonds (1913-72). In addition to new photographic evidence, it includes a recording of Margaret Bonds herself playing her piano composition "Dry Bones," which would eventually become the first movement of her Spiritual Suite for piano solo (there titled "The Valley of the Bones"). It also includes her early hit popular song "Peach Tree Street" performed by the Milt Herth Trio (1939), her spiritual "You Can Tell the World" performed by soprano Karen Slack and pianist Michelle Cann, and the last movement of her setting of the CREDO of W.E.B. Du Bois performed by the Southwestern University Chorale directed by Dr Holly Dalrymple and the Austin Civic Orchestra under the baton of Dr. Lois Ferrari.

This talk is based on information provided in my forthcoming biography of Margaret Bonds (Oxford: Oxford University Press, [2025]).

MUSIC:
Margaret Bonds: "Peach Tree Street," performed by the Milt Herth Trio (   • PEACH TREE STREET by the Milt Herth Trio 1939   )

Margaret Bonds: "You Can Tell the World," from Five Spirituals (New York, 1946), performed by Karen Slack and Michelle Cann (   • V. You Can Tell the World (from Five Creek...   )

Margaret Bonds: "Dry Bones" for piano solo (private possession of the author)

Margaret Bonds: "I Believe in Patience," from CREDO, performed by the Southwestern University Chorale (directed by Dr. Holly Dalrymple) and the Austin Civic Orchestra, conducted by Lois Ferrari (    • Credo by Margaret Bonds, featuring Southwe...   )