John W Work Jr Introduction (1 results)

A collection of African American spirituals edited and published by the Work brothers, whose collecting and musical arrangements were closely connected with the Fisk Jubilee Singers. John Work, a professor at Fisk, directed the singers, while his wife Agnes assisted in their training. This volume expands the brothers' earlier New Jubilee Songs of 1902, retaining that title in its running heads. It includes words and vocal arrangements for "Free at Last," "Wade in the Water," "Balm in Gilead," "Were You There," "Steal Away to Jesus," and numerous other spirituals, with an alphabetical index. John Work's introduction describes how the songs should be performed and understood. He describes handclapping, foot patting, and bodily movement as parts of religious singing that visitors to Black churches often mistake for amusement. He extends this criticism to the minstrel performer and his audience, who find comedy in music whose religious purpose they have failed to understand. Of the performer, he observes that "if he ever sings these songs in the right spirit, he will turn his show into a revival." Work also describes the continuing search for songs known only within particular localities, noting that new material was still being encountered and gathered. His instructions to performers emphasize religious feeling and directness over displays of vocal training, warning against arrangements or performance styles that might obscure the character of the songs. . Wrappers chipped and heavily creased, with a long closed tear to the front wrapper and loss at a lower corner of the rear wrapper. Minor marginal damage within, including a short closed tear to the final music leaf; contents otherwise very good. Good minus overall. 94, [2] pp., 5 ¾ x 8 ¾ inches. Original tan printed wrappers. Contemporary ink ownership inscription and street address to title page.…