Experience the unrestrained power of American gospel music, combined with the symphonic sound of the LSO and a chorus of over 250 voices from across the London community, curated and conducted by André J Thomas.
Hear enlivening music by some of the most impactful gospel artists writing and performing in the US today, with songs by Donald Lawrence and Ricky Dillard alongside ‘spiritual settings that express an explosion of joy’ by André J Thomas. Plus landmark gospel anthems from the 20th century, including Robert Ray’s Gospel Mass and Alma Basel Androzzo’s If I Can Help Somebody. ‘The music is all about hope for a new world’, says Thomas. ‘The atmosphere will go back and forth between up-beat and meditative, but always extrovert.’
With this concert, André J Thomas brings a growing trend in the US over to the UK – taking iconic gospel music originally written for choirs and smaller groups, and putting them in a fresh, bold symphonic envelope. ‘Part of my role as Associate Artist is to find and create arrangements that work for the LSO – I’m like a detective tracking everything down!’
LSO Associate Artist André J Thomas is a veritable expert in American gospel music. He is joined by an all-star line-up of familiar faces from previous LSO gospel concerts: Lurine Cato, NaGuanda Nobles, Christian Mark Gibbs and Brandon Boyd. Over 250 singers from across London lend their voices to an uplifting evening of music, including the London Symphony Chorus and Community Voices.
Gospel music does not apologise. It comes straight out, fiery and quick. It’s like lighting a firecracker – you start with a sizzle and that’s it. Every section of this concert will have a ‘pow’. André J Thomas