|
• All Feature Articles
Rhiannon Giddens and Silkroad Ensemble Bring American Railroad to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville
by Rich and Laura Lynch
Silkroad Ensemble – American Railroad with Rhiannon Giddens made a tour stop at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday, November 10, 2024. This unique program investigated the impact that the African American, Chinese, Indigenous, Irish, Japanese and other immigrant communities had on the creation of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad in the late 1800's. This unique concert experience featured a large, 12-person cast - that through world music and video accompaniment - exposed the diffusion of cultures across the States during our great age of expansion.
Rhiannon Giddens - seated with banjo - is the Artistic Director of Silkroad Ensemble.
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma conceived of Silkroad in 1998 as a collective of artists who have studied the historical Silkroad as a model for collaboration and the exchange of ideas, innovations and traditions across borders. Silkroad is a touring ensemble comprised of world-class musicians. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, Silkroad organizes social impact initiatives and educational programming along with the creation of new compositions by the Grammy Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble.
Rhiannon Giddens is an acclaimed instrumentalist and vocalist. Giddens has centered her work around the mission of lifting up people whose contributions to American history have previously been overlooked while advocating for a more accurate understanding of the country's musical origins through art. Thus, Silkroad is an ideal fit for the singer that NRP named as one of its 25 Most Influential Women Musicians of the 21st Century.
American Railroad opened with a video of Rhiannon explaining that the goal of this multi-year process was to represent the people who were not recognized for what could be considered one of America's most important economic and technological advancements in the 19th century. Giddens armed with a banjo handled some of the vocals while leading the Silkwood Ensemble through the tale of trials and trains that connected with the nearly sold-out house in Nashville.
The Silkroad Ensemble consisted of percussion, various stringed instruments and vocals. The compositions were a mix of traditional songs and pieces written for American Railroad. Distinctive tempos, textures and tones reflected the music of different cultural groups who all shared the hard labor and hard life of building the tracks. Most were not acclaimed for this major accomplishment instead they were exploited and in some cases even exported out of the country once the rails were completed.
American Railroad was compelling and education at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Giddens said from the stage during the show's second half that she never imagined she would be on stage with "these guys" when she first came to Nashville as a member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops more than a decade ago. Since that time the talented and socially conscious Giddens has climbed to greater national prominence thanks to her role as Hallie Jordan on the ABC/CMT country music-based drama Nashville. Later, her inclusion as a commentator in the highly-acclaimed documentary Country Music by Ken Burns cemented her position as an authoritative musical spokesperson for a new generation.
Music was the main focus of Silkroad Ensemble – American Railroad with Rhiannon Giddens. However, a large screen over the stage was used so that written words paired with vintage snapshots could provide a haunting overview of the human costs that were paid to connect the continent. This film - conceived by Camilla Tassi - contained a collection of real historical photos from the communities that Silkroad explores providing more clarity and context to the overall presentation.
For Pura Fé's pieces in particular, Pura Fé shared personal family pictures to punctuate Native peoples' important continued cultural presence in America. It was one of many potent points made during this educational and engaging show. It was a heavy night of music but the encore was a celebration of collaboration as each artist was introduced and played a quick solo on their instrument.
The Schermerhorn Symphony Center continues to showcase a variety of programs such as Silkroad Ensemble – American Railroad with Rhiannon Giddens. Located in the heart of downtown Nashville this beautiful hall which opened in 2006, hosts classical, jazz, pop, operas, rock and world musicians. Please check their website for a complete list of upcoming events.
This large ensemble applied world music stylings to an historical account with universal implications.
Related Links:
For more information on RHIANNON GIDDENS and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -
Rhiannon Giddens |
Silk Road |
Nashville Symphony
|
