A performance bringing together the enlivening power of gospel music and the symphonic sound of the LSO, conducted and designed by André J Thomas to mark Black History Month.

‘Black history is always tied with expression through art, that is, a cultural sharing and a remembrance of the journey of people of African-American descent’ explains Thomas. He takes us through the swinging rhythms of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s festive overture, to the uplifting narrative and gentle harmonies of Nathaniel Dett’s The Chariot Jubilee, based on African-American spirituals and folk songs. But this concert is as much about looking to the future, with music by icons of the US gospel scene celebrating good news and giving a message of hope for the future.

LSO Associate Artist André J Thomas is one of the world’s greatest experts in gospel and choral music. He unites the voices of over 200 singers for this celebration, including MOBO award-winning UK gospel star Lurine Cato, multi-skilled singer Christian Mark Gibbs, and the charismatic London Community Gospel Choir.

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John Williams Dry Your Tears, Afrika from ‘Amistad’
performed by all Choirs & Orchestra

Ignatius Sancho Minuet No 4; Sweetest Bard * ; Minuet No 6
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Danse nègre from ‘African Suite’
performed by the Orchestra

Nathaniel Dett The Chariot Jubilee †
Ken Burton The Promised Land
performed by the London Symphony Chorus & Orchestra

Interval

A selection of gospel songs
performed by the London Community Gospel Choir

Raymond Wise I Don’t Know What You’ve Come to Do
Isaac Cates It’s Working *
Arvis Strickling-Jones This Is The Day
Walter & Edwin Hawkins Hawkins Medley
Michael Jackson & Lionel Richie arr Reynolds We Are The World
performed by all Choirs & Orchestra

André J Thomas conductor
Lurine Cato singer *
Christian Mark Gibbs singer †
Brandon Boyd piano
London Community Gospel Choir
London Symphony Chorus
LSO Community Voices
David Lawrence LSO Community Voices chorus director
London Symphony Orchestra