Reflections On Juneteenth From Pianist Lara Downes

"Courage and comfort, faith and hope."

View this email online by Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna Courtesy of the artist Today is Juneteenth. Also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, the annual holiday commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, months after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger read out General Order Number 3 in Galveston, Texas, proclaiming freedom from slavery in Texas. And while it has long been observed across the country, this week, both the House and the Senate approved bills to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday; President Biden signed the bill on Thursday.  This week, concert pianist Lara Downes shared her reflections on the holiday and the role of music in offering freedom. “For me,” she told us via email, “Juneteenth is a day of remembrance and resolution. It's a day to reflect on the lessons of the past, to embrace the work of the present and to rejoice in the possibilities of the future.” Newsletter continues after sponsor message Downes is the host of NPR Music's web series Amplify With Lara Downes, in which she interviews inspiring and visionary Black artists. She is also currently pursuing a project called Rising Sun Music, in which she plans to release an EP every month with the goal of resurfacing and revivifying classical works by Black artists. This week, she spoke to Morning Edition about the project and some recent additions to it, including classical recordings of "Lift Every Voice" and “A Change Is Gonna Come.” In a moving visual essay published on NPR’s The Picture Show blog, Downes offers a playlist of music for Juneteenth, paired with a collection of images of Black life from the Scurlock Studio Collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. “For me,” Downes writes, “music offers freedom. Freedom of expression – my way to rejoice and to mourn, to offer comfort, to call for change. This past year, music freed me to connect and communicate, even in isolation. Music echoes back to me the sorrows and struggles of our ancestors, and also their triumphs – every battle won, every bridge crossed, every burden lifted.” Scurlock Studio Studio Records/Archives Center/National Museum of American History The playlist includes “New World A-Comin’” from Duke Ellington, “FREEDOM” from Jon Batiste, “Freedom Highway” from Rhiannon Giddens and many more. Of the songs that comprise her playlist, Downes says: “I hope they give you courage and comfort, faith and hope.” Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprmusic@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Books, Pop Culture, Health and more! Need a new playlist? Follow NPR Music on Spotify and Apple Music! You received this message because you're subscribed to NPR Music emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy