Bye Bye Spiritual

”Bye Bye Spiritual” by Luigi di Ghisallo should be understood as a counterpole to his earlier ”Morning / Mourning Spiritual”. Furthermore, the composer wants these pieces to be performed at specific places during a concert. ”Morning Spiritual” should be played as an opening number or immediately before the intermission, while ”Bye Bye Spiritual” should always be programmed at the end of a concert evening.

In his fantasy on songs of the black population of the American south, the composer interlaced some of the most famous songs, which always are of religious nature. ”Bye and Bye” describes the daily slave labor in the fields and the hope to meet again under happier circumstances – in heaven. The world-famous ”Amazing Grace” is a hymn to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, who waits for men to come to her in heaven. To emphasize the mood of this section, the composer calls for a backstage trumpet solo which makes the main theme played by the baritones and horns sound particularly gentle. The exuberant joy when departing for a better kingdom to come is reflected by the spiritual ”O Happy Day”. Finally, obeying the traditions of black congregations, a swinging ”Amen” brings this fantasy to an end.

Bye and Bye - Amazing Grace - O Happy Day - Amen

The piece may be performed with choir or vocal soloist.