Album Notes

anthonybrownbaritone.net

"Anthony Brown sings Spirituals" Sung by a warm and noble baritone with the same care a singer lavishes on German Lieder"
The Seattle Times

"A singer of real accomplishment"
The New York Concert Review

Internationally acclaimed baritone Anthony Brown has made a specialty of singing music of the American experience. Referred to by some music critics as a "warm and noble baritone", he has brought this music to audiences in places like the Rainbow Room in New York City and the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County California. Whatever the setting, Anthony Brown sings with passion and commitment. His American music repertoire includes Broadway show tunes opera arias, art song, folk ballads and Spirituals. Born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, he now makes his home in Kansas where he is Artist in Residence at Hesston College.

In 1995 he recorded his first compact disc of African American Spirituals. He was astonished by the immediate enthusiastic response to this music. He states " it seemed that this music was awakening our primordial need for the Transcendent. The machine- like fast paced fashion in which we live has left us numb and out of touch with the essential and basic things of life." He sings this music to all ages, races and religions and reports a strong sense of commonality with the listeners. He stresses the fact that all of us know about the difficulty of everyday living and no one lives without pain. He believes it is this reality that binds us to each other in our common humanity. .

He discovered this universal connection in the multi ethnic country of Bosnia when he toured there under the sponsorship of the U.S. State Department in March of 2002. "I was amazed with the overwhelming outpouring of love and acceptance when the people heard the spirituals. This music tapped into their pain and brought us together.
He plans a concert tour in Ireland in October of 2003 and in east Africa in August of 2003.

He released his second spirituals recording in October 2002. Its title is Toil and Triumph and the Spirituals Project Choir of Denver joins him on several selections.
His love of American music has to do with the many cultural influences that inspired it. These cultural influences come form the "old country" but also have unique American characteristics. He believes " the genius of American music is in the wonderful interplay of the musical styles and cultural influences." It is music that is "easy on the ears." It conjures up memories from another era and is emotionally moving to the listener.

His compact disc Embracing American Song, recorded in 1999, offers a wide array of American songs from the romantic ballad, Red River Valley or In the Gloaming, to classic American folk songs like Shenandoah and Jeanie with the Light Brown hair.

He also collaborates with the distinguished baritone, Julian Patrick and the youthful baritone, Keith Harris. They call themselves the Three Baritones and a Lady. The lady is Juilliard graduate Lisa Bergman, pianist. They perfom across the country singing a very diverse repertoire.

No matter where Anthony Brown sings, his musical offerings inspire audiences and make them proud of our rich and varied musical heritage.
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