The composer Elie Siegmeister once declared of Langston Hughes (1902–1967) that he was the “most musical poet of the twentieth century”. True or false, this judgement underscores the unquestionable fact that much of Hughes’s poetry lends itself fairly readily to musical setting, and that, for Hughes, music was perhaps a principal inspiration behind his writing. From popular forms to the more demanding jazz and classical repertoire, Langston Hughes found inspiration in the work of musicians. He adored music and took pride in the fascination that his poems and plays inspired in composers and performers. This collection of songs written by 20th Century American composers on the poet's texts celebrates the centenary of his birth.
Hughes, Langston
My People
1 My People 00:22
Owens, Robert Lee
Hughes, Langston - Lyricist
Heart on the Wall: Heart
2 Heart on the Wall: Heart 01:34
Musto, John
Hughes, Langston - Lyricist
Shadow of the Blues: Island
3 Shadow of the Blues: Island 01:31
Hughes, Langston
The Weary Blues
4 The Weary Blues 02:10
Musto, John
Hughes, Langston - Lyricist
Shadow of the Blues: Litany
5 Shadow of the Blues: Litany 03:26
Still, William Grant
Thoby-Marcelin, Philippe - Lyricist
Bontemps, Arna - Lyricist
Cullen, Countee - Lyricist
Dunbar, Paul Laurence - Lyricist
Hughes, Langston - Lyricist
Songs of Separation: A Black Pierrot
6 Songs of Separation: A Black Pierrot 02:05
Smith, Hale
Beyond the Rim of Day: March Moon
7 Beyond the Rim of Day: March Moon 02:25
Hughes, Langston
Negro
8 Negro 01:02
Bonds, Margaret Allison
Hughes, Langston - Lyricist
The Negro Speaks of Rivers
9 The Negro Speaks of Rivers 04:24
Gordon, Ricky Ian
Genius Child: My People
10 Genius Child: My People 03:28
Price, Florence Beatrice
Hughes, Langston - Lyricist
Songs to the Dark Virgin
11 Song to the Dark Virgin 02:08
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