Ragazze Quartet - But Not My Soul: Price, Dvořák & Giddens (2024) [Official Digital Download 24/192]

Ragazze Quartet perform works by two female composers Rhiannon Giddens (*1977) and Florence Price (1887-1953), combined with the ‘American’ String Quartet No.12 by Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904). Florence Price was the first African-American woman to be recognized for her symphonies, yet her music was forgotten for many years. Her String Quartet No.2 is a mix of European romanticism, her ‘Southern’ roots, the emerging blues and African-American spirituals. The title of the album derives from a song Rhiannon Giddens wrote after seeing a 19th-century advertisement for a 22-year-old female slave whose 9-month-old baby was also for sale, but 'at the purchaser’s option'. One of the lines of the song is: "You can take my blood. But not my soul." The string quartet arrangement was made by Jacob Garchik in 2016, commissioned by the Kronos Quartet’s ‘50 For The Future’ project. Ragazze Quartet: “This album is a tribute to composers who, despite opposition, have always remained true to their soul. Although our own souls may not directly be related to the work songs of African slaves, Czech folk music, or African-American spirituals, we want to contribute to making their voices, souls and music heard.”

Tracklist:
01. Price- String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor- I. Moderato
02. Price- String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor- II. Andante cantabile
03. Price- String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor- III. Juba - Allegro
04. Price- String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor- IV. Finale - Allegro
05. Dvořák- String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96 -American– I. Allegro ma non troppo
06. Dvořák- String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96 -American– II. Lento
07. Dvořák- String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96 -American– III. Molto vivace
08. Dvořák- String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96 -American– IV. Finale. Vivace ma non troppo
09. Giddens- At the Purchaser’s Option (Arr. for String Quartet by Jacob Garchik)


Thanks to the Original customer!