As I have said before, I never envisioned myself listening to hip
hop rap music but in my effort to try new things, I have
discovered that I enjoy the way the rhythmic chants, like poetry, condenses a message. Rapping at times also gives
a passionate voice to a cause or an issue (Day 170- Rapper Kuf Knots and Day 122-Biz Markie ). Common,
a hip hop rapper, poet, author, and actor, brought
this style of musical expression to the stage with the symphonic sound of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. With the added ensemble
of strings, the musical messages seemed even
more powerful- an amplified voice.
Reflection
Prior to this evening, I did not know much about his music but Common's dialogue during the show added an element of intimacy. I also enjoyed the way that the symphony under the direction of Andres Franco, feverishly played during some of the songs which added fullness to the hip hop beat and the fluidity of rhythmic speech. Hats
off to our Pittsburgh Symphony for being so inventive.
Common reminded the audience of his roots from the south side of Chicago where in 1992 he had the debut album, “Can I Borrow a Dollar?”.
He quoted August Wilson, “We are put on this planet to do God’s work” before
the song, “The People” which soared with the full background of the symphony as
hands waved in the audience.
Throughout the show Common referenced youth lost to the streets,
community and other social issues but he was also playful as he brought a woman to the stage for a glass of
wine and song. The sound of scratching was added to the orchestra strings during “Resurrection ” and I especially
enjoyed his reverence for women in the
song “If Women Took Over.”
 |
| "Glory" |
The highlight for
many was the powerful “Glory” performed
with the added choir which brought the
audience to their feet. This song about the civil rights movement, won the 2015 Golden Globe Award for Best Original
Song and a 2015 Academy Award from the film “Selma”.
This show was an inventive mesh of worlds and musical styles.
The night with Common was one where we all enjoyed the music as one community.
(The Pittsburgh Symphony and the Pittsburgh Symphony POPS 2017-18 season continues with interesting
shows that I intend to keep in my empty nest survival tool box.)
Other Sources
The People https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7B2VgRShew
Common http://thinkcommon.com/