In 1937, Cincinnati's May Festival gave the world premiere of R. Nathaniel Dett's oratorio, "The Ordering of Moses", a 'Biblical Folk Scene' composed in 1932. The event was broadcast live to the nation by NBC radio. The present recording captures a thrilling 2014 concert of Dett's magnum opus, performed by four stellar vocal soloists, the May Festival Chorus, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, conducted by James Conlon.
Reviews:
“Conlon leads the Cincinnati musicians in a performance of radiant intensity. The chorus are in glorious communal voice and the Cincinnati Symphony blend elegance with vitality. How is it possible that a work as soaring and powerful as R. Nathaniel Dett’s The Ordering of Moses could have languished for so long?” - Gramophone
“This is certainly a major milestone in African-American classical music—a fine piece, very well done!” - American Record Guide
“This brilliantly stirring 1937 oratorio receives its first commercial recording, live from Carnegie Hall. Excellent soloists with sensitive chorus and orchestra.” - BBC Music Magazine
“It is a dense, dramatically stirring, grand-sounding, and soulful work.” - ICON
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The Ordering of Moses
Live from Carnegie Hall
Latonia Moore, soprano
Ronnita Nicole Miller, mezzo-soprano
Rodrick Dixon, tenor
Donnie Ray Albert, baritone
May Festival Chorus
Robert Porco, director
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
James Conlon, conductor
BRIDGE 9462