Tunnel Vision.
This week our very own Rev. Carol Rawlings brought us a message from Exodus 34: 29-35 and Luke 9: 28-36.
We were also blessed to hear a wonderful piece played by our amazing pianist, Brenda Miller.
Hear both on this podcast, and read some background on Brenda's piece below.
Troubled Water, Margaret Bonds
Margaret Bonds was one of the first black composers and performers to be recognized in the United States, known for her collaborations with Langston Hughes. Troubled Water is Bonds's adaptation of the African American spiritual Wade in the Water, which has the following text:
"wade in the water, children,
wade in the water, God’s a gonna trouble the water."
This spiritual is believed to have been one of the songs containing instructions for slaves trying to escape via the Underground Railroad. Troubled Water takes this melody and transforms it with various tones and colors, but the melody remains present throughout. In its last moments, the notes become stark and simplified in favor of the piece turning very rhythmic and percussive, as if abandoning its old form and transforming into uninhibited spirit.
