The soul of gospel

Auditorio de Tenerife will host the Soul of Gospel concert by the Black Heritage Choir in the Symphony Hall.

Of all the popular song genres that have survived in the Americas into the present century, the spiritual is probably the most widespread. Known as ‘Black spirituals’ – which later formed the basis of gospel – they have found their way into churches and concert halls, influenced composers such as Dvořák and Virgil Thompson, and have been sung in schools and choirs worldwide.

The Black Heritage Choir is a selection of singers from the Mississippi Mass Choir who, under the direction of Mr Jerry Calvin Smith, pay tribute to the genre in their concert, The Soul of Gospel, tracing its origins from the plantations to its rather urban offshoots. The most noteworthy artistic aspect is the paradox of a choir of soloists, where every member plays a leading role without this individuality detracting from the ensemble’s sound.

Perhaps the most striking characteristic of the sound of gospel is its immediate impact on diverse audiences from Spain to Japan, and explains why is it present in the rhythm and vibrations of all contemporary popular music. The great stars of international music owe a debt to thousands of anonymous singers who practised this style over the last century, and many—Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, the Jacksons, James Brown—come directly from Black churches.

Although the music itself is fundamental, especially for audiences unfamiliar with the genre’s cultural and life experiences, gospel is based on its own aesthetic standards. It is distinguished by its language and a complex sense of ritual and decorum nurtured by communities, combining musical sophistication with the ability to recognise honesty in emotional expression. What makes this religious music an enduring social phenomenon is its constant connection to the cultural reality of its congregations. Gospel has historically incorporated vibrant musical trends such as jazz, blues, country, and hip-hop.

Everything changes, and everything remains the same; this motto best defines the religious music of Black North Americans. From the distant days of the plantations, when men and women from Africa fused their style with 18th-century English hymns, to today, when African North Americans in the United States perform the music that has given them their identity worldwide, the world has changed repeatedly. Yet gospel singers continue to sing with their whole bodies, and every line still exudes the same loneliness and pride. This is my story. This is my song.