»I know why the caged bird sings« – it sings of freedom in order not to lose hope. It sings in order to feel the life beyond the bars of its cage. To encourage itself and others. And this is how American composers and authors with African roots sing and write to this day: their subject matter is discrimination and injustice, pride and dignity – but love and separation as well, mourning and joy, belief and hope.

In the second part of the Celebration of Black Music, several generations of these artists have their say: from Florence Price and William Grant Still to Tyshawn Sorey and B. E. Boykin. The concert presents a many-voiced panorama of black music in its countless and fascinating facets.

Note: All Hamburg International Music Festival 2021 concerts are available to stream free of charge. Once premiered, each concert stream can be accessed for the whole festival period.