The closing two tracks fall back into days of Coldplay past, with pretty instrumental sections that progress through ideas and develop as they go – but 10 minutes for the opus “Coloratura” as the closing track feels a little much. Not to mention the unnecessary use of emojis as song titles – sure it’s 'cool' for up and coming artists, but this feels like a little bit of a reach to engage with younger listeners. Influence on the album seems to come from all over, as “People of The Pride” is a dead ringer for classic Muse, and this high-energy pop-rock follows straight on from the aforementioned hymn track – jarring the listener into confusing juxtapositions within seconds. “Let Somebody Go” with Gomez, while pleasant, lacks originality, and the presence of We Are KING alongside Jacob Collier on “❤️” feels rather left-field, especially when Collier’s input seems mostly for backing vocals and arrangement on a vastly empty song of layered choral vocals – coming off as more of a hymn than a song. “Biutyful” gets an honourable mention, as it really embodies the feeling of space and heavenly bodies through its production and arrangement.įeaturing big names like Selena Gomez and BTS is one thing, and taking on prodigy Jacob Collier for a track is a sensible move to progress Coldplay into the modern music landscape - however, the features feel like an afterthought when they aren’t utilised properly. There are some bright stars in the mix, and singles “Higher Power” and the collaboration with Korean superstars BTS on “My Universe” stand out in the crowd, and not just by a little, but by a country mile - they have a dynamic structure and style and feel like the fully fledged songs that Coldplay have become synonymous with. It’s sad then that as you get your teeth into it, it fails to lift off. Employing the vastness of space and celestial alignment in their artwork and ideas, the album has a sense of epic-ness to it on paper. Jonas Wright, Dean & Chief Academic Officer of San Francisco Conservatory of Music ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK Two Romances for Viola & Orchestra: II.Coldplay love their grandeur concepts that venture into the ethereal, and Music Of The Spheres is no different. Tossie Long, Solas B Lalgee and Yvette PylantĪrr. Kamau Bell, Stand-Up Comic & Television Host NINA SIMONE “Mississippi Goddam” Joseph Hébert, cellist, Oakland Symphony SIR EDWARD ELGAR “Nimrod” from “Enigma Variations”ĭan Ashley, News Anchor, KGO ABC7 MAURICE RAVEL “Le jardin féerique” from “Ma mère l’Oye” Jennifer Duston, Former Executive Director, Oakland Symphony FOLK SONG “Dance of the Yao Tribe”ĭanielle Taylor, violinist, Alumna of MUSE & Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra GEORGE WALKER “Lyric” Oakland Interfaith Gospel Chorus Members Tammy Hall Ensemble TERRANCE KELLY “Glory” HALL “Love, Kindness, & ‘Laugh a Little’” (World Premiere) Graham Lustig, Artistic Director & Choreographer Ĭarroll Fife, Councilmember for Oakland’s District 3 BOBBY WATSON “Time Will Tell”.Gateways Brass Collective SCOTT JOPLIN “Solace for Michael” (World Premiere) Gateways Brass Collective “DUKE” ELLINGTON Ellington Medley Lara Downes, piano Balm In Gilead (Traditional Spiritual, arr. Lara Downes, piano WILLIAM GRANT STILL “Summerland”.by Michael Morgan) “Somewhere” from “West Side Story”Īfa Dworkin, President & Artistic Director, Sphinx Organization FLORENCE PRICE “Adoration” Mieko Hatano, Executive Director, Oakland Symphony MELANIE DeMORE “Sending You Light”ĭolores Huerta, Civil Rights Activist LEONARD BERNSTEIN (arr. Gateways Music Festival The Sphinx OrganizationĪbc7 News KDFC San Francisco Classical Voice Bell, Chairman, Bell Investment AdvisorsĪkonadi Foundation Bear Valley Music Festival Join us in watching beautiful heartfelt performances by friends, colleagues, and students coming together to pay tribute to the life and living legacy of Michael Morgan.