Desiree (Ning) Low

MUS 130 American Popular Music

Feb 20th 2014
Music Critique: Revelations
Revelations, by Alivin Ailey, is a very popular dance work that deeply
explores the rich culture of African-American cultural heritage. Through the use of
African-American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs, and holy blues, it
reenacts much of the period of racism ultimately tied into slavery. Its
fundamental enactment was originated from the choreographers blood
memories days of his children when he was in Texas and the Baptist Church.
But since its first premiere, the ballet company itself has performed around the
globe, changing the many faiths and nationality, sharing such emotions out to the
world making it the most seen modern dance work in the entire world.
The music induces genres under spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs,
as well as holy blues, generally giving an enrichment of well-known AfricanAmerican music that dated back to times of slavery. During the first act, it was
sung as though a cry that calls out, hoping for the freedom they seek, yearning
for the deliverance. Then again, when times were much more joyous, the songs
itself was more on a happier tune, such as for the very last piece Move
Members, Move of the whole dance work.
The lyrics itself has indications of passages from the bible, further
enhancing how important religion is to the people. Fine examples that depict from
biblical phrases would be Didnt my Lord Deliver Daniel, Fix me Jesus, or

even Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham shows the importance in

which their words were cries to the divine power, in this case, to God.
Its unique choreography shows an array of tension, in which it depicts the
struggles in slavery. Yet, there is a sense of unity within one another, because
there is absolutely nothing that is going to stop the people from reaching out to
their freedom. Hope was shown, no matter how much difficulty slavery was back
in the olden days.
In conclusion, Revelations showcases a rich cultural heritage in African
Americans through dance and music that tells the events of slavery, and daily
lives back between the 1920s and beyond. Despite the tension being so intense
throughout the whole entire act, it gives an experience that one will never forget.