Festival Mind the Gap! - Reginald Mobley - Worksongs, spirituals & kunstliederen

Reginald Mobley & Baptiste Trotignon

"As a musician, I feel not only responsible for giving attention to Black composers, it is my goal," says countertenor Reginald Mobley. The music from the CD *Because* by Mobley and pianist Baptiste Trotignon forms the source of this concert. It is a collection of mostly well-known African-American work songs and spirituals, but also art songs by twentieth-century Black classical composers. "Instead of performing them straightforwardly, we take these melodies and reinterpret them in a jazzy style. In doing so, we offer a different perspective on the music and breathe new life into it." In 2024, Mobley and Trotignon were awarded the Edison 'Extraordinary Classical' for this album. The jury report stated: "Where many European folk songs found a place in classical music, African-American musicians are now attempting to give their heritage a rightful place in their country's classical canon. *Because * is a meaningful and beautiful example of this, transcending its own musical context."

Mind the Gap!

The Concertgebouw closes the season with Mind the Gap! This festival centers on diversity and the changing world of classical music. The focus is on Black composers working in Europe and America, in the past and present. Until recently, many of them were unknown or barely known to the general public. Countertenor Reginald Mobley and pianist Baptiste Trotignon perform Afro-American work songs and spirituals. Mobley: 'This repertoire is about growth, about progress, about healing.'