For the project, Brownlee has commissioned six of today’s leading African-American composers – Damien Sneed, Brandon Spencer, Jasmine Barnes, Joel Thompson, and Shawn E. Okpebholo – to set poetry from the Harlem Renaissance to song, including poems by Alice Dunbar Nelson, Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, and more. The songs revolve around themes of joy, empowerment, faith, love, and strength in the face of challenge. Brownlee has also collaborated closely with Dr. Louise Toppin, soprano and vocal professor at the University of Michigan, to revive select works from famed composers Margaret Bonds and Robert Owen; in addition to including works from composer Jeremiah Evans. The project features accompaniment from pianist and collaborator Kevin J. Miller.

Of the project, Lawrence Brownlee said: “These past years have been a trial, both for humanity as a whole, and the African-American population here in the United States. But through all these many challenges we have faced, I have also seen moments of strength, inspiration, hope, and great beauty. It is those themes of uplift, elevation, and rebirth that we have tried to focus on with this new project Rising, taking poems from the giants of the Harlem Renaissance, and working with some of today’s most talented African-American composers, to create something that speaks not just to our struggles, but to our triumphs.”
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Damien Sneed  (b. 1979)

1. Beauty That Is Never Old (James Weldon Johnson)

2. The Gift to Sing (James Weldon Johnson)

3. To America (James Weldon Johnson)

Jeremiah Evans (b.1978)

4. April Song (Langston Hughes)

5. Lost Illusions (Georgia Douglas Johnson)

6. Southern Mansion (Arna Bontemps)

Brandon Spencer (b.1992)

7. I Know My Soul (Claude McKay)

8. Dance of Love (Countee Cullen)

Margaret Bonds -(b. 1913-1972) -  "Songs of the Seasons" Cycle

9. Poeme d'Automne (Langston Hughes)

10. Winter Moon (Langston Hughes)‍

11. Young Love in Spring (Langston Hughes)

12. Summer Storm (Langston Hughes)

Joel Thompson (b.1988)

13. Supplication (Joseph Seamon Cotter, Jr.)

14. Compensation (Paul Laurence Dunbar)

15. My People (Langston Hughes)

Jasmine Barnes (b.1992)

16. Peace (Georgia Douglas Johnson)

17. Invocation (Claude McKay)

Shawn E. Okpebholo (b.1981)

18. Romance (Claude McKay)

Robert Owens (b. 1925, d. 2017) - Desire Song Cycle

19. Desire (Langston Hughes)

20. Dream (Langston Hughes)

21. Juliet (Langston Hughes)

22. Man (Langston Hughes)

Robert Owens - Silver Rain Cycle

23. In time of silver rain (Langston Hughes)

24. Fulfillment (Langston Hughes)

25. Night Song (Langston Hughes)

26. Silence (Langston Hughes)

27. Carolina Cabin (Langston Hughes)

28. Songs (Langston Hughes)

29. Sleep (Langston Hughes)

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