Pianist Michael Noble is a graduate of the Yale College of Music, the Eastman College of Music, and the College of Rochester. He additionally studied on the Paris Conservatoire and the Royal Ghent Conservatory.

Michael has an intense curiosity in worthy music that deserves wider consideration. That might clarify why Michael’s first album, “American Dissident,” options political works of music by Frederic Rzewski and Margaret Bonds. “American Dissident” was launched in November 2022 and is now accessible by way of HearNow.com for listening on a number of widespread streaming platforms.

“American Dissident” just isn’t but accessible for listening on Classical Archives. However we hope that will probably be quickly.

“American Dissident” emerged from Michael’s exploration of the works of composers Margaret Bonds (1913-1973) and Frederic Rzewski (1938-2021). The album’s title displays the lives and political philosophies of each composers, clearly heard within the compositions that Michael chosen for “American Dissident.” They embody “The Individuals Will By no means Be Defeated!” by Rzewski and “Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues” by Bonds. These works, performed by Michael on the disc, are greater than topical. They’re exceptionally good music, satisfying to listen to.

To cite from Michael’s album notes for “American Dissident” . . .

Margaret Bonds

Margaret Bonds occupies a singular place in American classical music. Born in Chicago in 1913, her mom was a musician and her father, Monroe Alpheus Majors was a physician who additionally authored the first-of-its variety anthology Famous Negro Girls: Their Triumphs and Actions in 1893. Bonds composed her first piece on the age of eight after she had been taking piano classes for a number of years. On the age of 16, she entered Northwestern College, the place she was compelled to review within the basement because of the hostile and racist setting in direction of individuals of coloration. She obtained her bachelor’s and grasp’s levels in 1933 and 1934, respectively. Whereas nonetheless a pupil, she turned the primary Black particular person to carry out with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Throughout this era, Bonds studied piano and composition with Florence Value, who turned one among her best influences and mentors. . . “Troubled Water” is Margaret Bonds’s best-known instrumental composition. It had beforehand been the third motion of Bonds’ “Non secular Suite” — a symphonically-conceived set of three piano items primarily based on African American spirituals — earlier than it was printed as a stand-alone piece in 1967. In its unique guise, it was a bit for piano with viewers participation referred to as “Group Dance,” primarily based on the Negro Non secular “Wade within the Water” . . .

Frederic Rzewski

Frederic Rzewski’s “The Individuals United Will By no means Be Defeated!” is predicated on Sergio Ortega’s protest music “¡El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido!” with lyrics by the Chilean people group Quilapayún. It was one of the crucial well-known songs of the New Chilean Track Motion, a revolution that occurred within the widespread music of the nation throughout Salvador Allende’s Common Unity Authorities. After Augusto Pinochet’s CIA-backed coup ousted Allende in 1973, the music gained worldwide reputation as a common protest music in opposition to injustice . . .  After Ursula Oppens’ premiere recording of the piece in 1978 for Vanguard, it shortly turned one among his most well-known compositions.

To study extra about “American Dissident,” contact Michael Noble at MichaelNoble88@gmail.com