Power In The Blood
Cyrus Chestnut’s Program Note

The African American culture is a culture that is full of faith, hope and joy. No matter what the circumstance, the culture remains always optimistic for a better time to come. The culture is celebratory as well. Music, I believe is a strong element in the culture.

Let’s talk about the music. The American of African descent uses music whether it be melody or melody with lyrics to tell the story of their being. Their emotions can be told in a song. The songs follow a different beat or pulse than that of European culture. Although there is European influence in the structure of the songs of the African American, please realize that the combination of influences brings forth a unique style that is celebrated by all today.

These arrangements of Easter songs come from a larger work entitled “The Saga of the Cross”. It is the story of Easter told from the African American perspective. This work combines European and African musical traditions. Elements of gospel, jazz, and classical idioms work together to present this story of love. The intention is to leave the listener fortified with faith, hope and joy as the syncopated rhythms, colorful melodies and harmonies transports one to a beautiful place and returns them back feeling encouraged and lifted up.

Down at the Cross: EA Hoffman, arranged by Cyrus Chestnut

An arrangement that is filled with faith and joy. Note the pulsating rhythm that encourages one to clap their hands and pat their feet. In the middle of this piece, the tone shifts momentarily to a somewhat somber tone but quickly moves back to joyous dance filled pulse, leaving you proclaiming, “Glory to His Name!”

Were You There: Negro Spiritual, arranged by Cyrus Chestnut

An arrangement of lament but please take note of the “jazz influenced” harmony that sends one in a different direction than usual. Using the male voice lets one feel the pain and agony of the moment.

Calvary: Negro Spiritual, arranged by Cyrus Chestnut

This is a lament that speaks about the death of Christ. It also could be the voices crying from the Atlantic Ocean during the Middle Passage. The harmonies are dark and somber. The combination of arco bass and voice gives this piece that chilling feeling of Christ’s death.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross: Isaac Watts, arranged by Cyrus Chestnut

An arrangement that features the warm and rich sound of the male voice. Hand drumming is used here to add a different rhythmic texture that could make it predictable. The influence of gospel and jazz are featured here.

Power in the Blood: Lewis E. Jones, arranged by Cyrus Chestnut

An arrangement that gets its motion from the second line groove of New Orleans. The rhythm is not specifically second line, but the steady pulse lets one feel the joy of the African American culture as the arrangement talks about the precious blood of the Lamb.

Up From the Grave He Arose: Robert Lowry, arranged by Cyrus Chestnut

The culmination of the joy, faith, and hope of the African American. It is rhythmic, melodic and harmonic that proclaims the triumph of the risen Christ.

The mediation, which will be played by Cyrus alone will be a medley of easter inspired themes that will by the engine of improvisation will take you from Gethsemane to the open sepulcher that hold the Messiah no more.