H.T. Burleigh's music on the album draws from songs of enslavement, which were essential expressions of survival, resistance, faith, and community.
Composition History
The album begins with "Welcome" by Edmar Colón, a piece written to celebrate the potential of new life, inspired by his concerns for his young son's future.
Composition History
The album includes Shawn Okpebholo's reimagining of "My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free," a song written in 1759 by Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Pianist Lara Downes uses music as a 'passport' to connect with people, share her story, and invite others to share theirs, fostering honesty and empathy.
Historical Context
Stephen Foster's "Hard Times Come Again No More" expressed suffering during the Civil War, while Oscar Peterson's "Hymn to Freedom" became an anthem of the Civil Rights era.
Album & Artwork
The album, "Hold These Truths," was inspired by a nearly two-year American road trip undertaken by pianist Lara Downes, zigzagging across the country.
Album & Artwork
The quotes introducing each track on the album are from people pianist Lara Downes met during her national initiative, 'The Declaration Project,' where she prompted reflections on American identity and hopes for the future.
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