In 1997, the Girls Choir of Harlem premiered “Voices from the Light,” a 25-minute work accompanied by string quartet, oboe and piano. As was common with many pieces by persons of color, the piece remained largely unknown for many years. Following its premiere at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on November 23, 1997, “Voices from the Light” was not heard again until 2022. In total, it has only been performed five times in its history. Masterfully linking quotes from leading African American poets and Negro Spirituals amidst the tapestry of Moore’s own text and music, this piece deserves its rightful space in the choral canon.
Dorothy Rudd Moore (1940-2022) is considered one of the leading women composers of color for her generation, having received commissions from the National Symphony, Opera Ebony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and solo artists. As a music educator, she taught at the Harlem School of the Arts, New York University, and the Bronx Community College. She co-founded the Society of Black Composers, organizing numerous concerts showcasing the works of Black composers.
Moore’s own words in this work tell the story of a dreamer who ‘heard a voice in sleep last night,’ the text paying homage to Langston Hughes, Arna Bontemps, Maya Angelou, and Countee Cullen. The text provides a swath of imagery providing comfort and support from the Ancestors—drawing that imagery from the above-named poets, Negro Spirituals, and Moore’s own words. Moore’s score masterfully intertwines original musical ideas with quotations from Negro Spirituals, each carefully developed through chromatic and modal alterations that mirror the ethos of the text. With intuitive voice-leading paired with the colorful textures of the instrumental ensemble.
Dorothy Rudd Moore lived in an era when composers were seen as, in her words, “male, white, and dead.” Circumstances led to her “Voices from the Light” being almost lost, but this masterwork deserves to be heard and performed by the next generation of choral musicians.
Vox Grata will perform three additional pieces by African American composers on this program – Rosephanye Powell, Marques L. A. Garrett and Brittney Boykin.
