MMoArt

Sunday, August 14

American Devotional Music – From Thomas Tallis to Richard Smallwood

Should devotional music create a sense of solemnity and introspection or joyful and exuberant praise? As the music in early America developed, these disputes led to various musical approaches for the function of music, especially singing. The musical ideas Thomas Tallis uses in his Forty-Part Motet influenced later composers, but they also created for some a reaction of criticism as much as appreciation. From European settlers to African Americans of the 21st Century, the use of older traditions were adopted to more current hymn functions, and created new and creative musical styles serving the same purpose.

Come hear a few examples of early American devotional music as it developed from early colonial settlers to the unique mix of African and European cultures and traditions that are still in use today. This presentation by Howard McPhail includes selections by Mobile’s own: Azalea Music Ensemble.