Let Freedom Sing: Music of the Abolitionists

Classical New England and NPR’s Noah Adams chronicle of the idealistic artists, uncompromising personalities, and powerful music of the Abolitionist era, and looks at how music helped transform abolitionism from a scorned fringe movement into a nation-changing force.

Music featured on the program:

Traditional - Steal Away
Fisk Jubilee Singers

Anon. - Come Join the Abolitionists
Deborah Anne Goss

Henry Russell - The Maniac
George Shirley, baritone; William Bolcom, piano

Jesse Hutchinson, Jr. - The Old Granite State
New Hutchinson Family Singers

Jesse Hutchinson, Jr. - Get off the Track
New Hutchinson Family Singers

Stephen Foster - Variations on Old Folks At Home
Noel Lester, piano

Stephen Foster - My Old Kentucky Home
George Shirley, baritone; William Bolcom, piano

Stephen Foster - My Old Kentucky Home arr. for Solo Flute
Paula Robison, Flute

Stephen Foster - Hard Times Come Again No More
Thomas Hampson, baritone; Jay Ungar violin; Molly Mason, bass; Tony Trishka, banjo; David Alpher, piano; Mark Rust & Garrison Keillor, background vocals

George F. Root - Where Home Is
The Harmoneion Singers: Peter Basquin, harmonium

George F. Root - Battle Cry of Freedom
John Cowan, vocals; Butch Baldassari, mandolin; Mark Combs, fiddle; Bryon House, bass; Jeffrey Taylor; accordion

George F. Root - Battle Cry of Freedom (reprise)
Mar Gardner, banjo; Rex Rideout, fiddle

Henry Clay Work - Kingdom Coming
Clifford Jackson, baritone; Joan Morris, mezzo-soprano; William Bolcom, piano; The Camerata Chorus Of Washington

Henry Clay Work – Who Shall Rule This American Nation?
Clifford Jackson, baritone; William Bolcom, piano; The Camerata Chorus Of Washington

Traditional – De Gospel Train (Get On Board)
Fisk Jubilee Singers

Jesse Hutchinson, Jr: - Get Off The Track
'The Proper Ladies -Deborah Goss and Anabel Graetz