Henry H. Sexton Jr. — I'll Fly Away | Communal Joy

Henry H. Sexton Jr. I'll Fly Away | Communal Joy Unlike the quiet landscapes that precede it, Henry H. Sexton Jr.'s setting of I'll Fly Away bursts forth with rhythmic vitality, joyful energy, and the unmistakable spirit of gospel music. Marked by driving accents, detached articulations, and infectious rhythmic momentum, the work transforms the organ into something remarkably vocal—a choir singing with exuberance and conviction. As the fifth chapter of Stars and Stops: 250 Years of American Sound, this piece marks the recital's first great communal celebration:    • Stars & Stops | 250 Years of American Sound  . After contemplating America's landscapes, we encounter its people. Here, faith, music, and community come together in a joyful expression that reminds us the American musical tradition has always been enriched by many voices and many cultures. In the spirit of gospel improvisation, I treat each performance of this work as a living conversation rather than a fixed text, adding a little extra "zhuzh" beyond the printed page. Listen for the rhythmic dialogue between the manuals, the playful accents, and the unmistakable feeling that the organ itself has become a singing gospel choir. Performed on the intimate American Romantic Steere organ of the First Baptist Church in Owatonna, Minnesota (sampled by Evensong), this performance highlights the instrument's colorful orchestral resources and lively speech, allowing the music's joyful character to dance naturally. Henry H. Sexton Jr. was a distinguished African-American organist, composer, and church musician whose music beautifully blends classical organ writing with the vitality and expressive spirit of the Black church tradition. #StarsAndStops #FourthOfJuly #HenryHSextonJr #IllFlyAway #PipeOrgan #AmericanMusic