Pearls of Sorrow

The Thirty Years’ War in Europe and the institution of chattel slavery in America began just one year apart. Separated by culture, continent, and reason, there is a throughline that connects these harrowing events: beautiful music that arises during times of struggle, where feelings and emotions are the same. The music of Schütz, Erlebach, and members of the Bach family share the same spirit as many of the songs and spirituals sung by enslaved Africans and Black Americans to this very day. By highlighting that common space, perhaps we can open [...]