Society released complete Mahler symphony recordings conducted by Hiroshi Wakasugi. All original musical sources published online in open access. New edition of Fourth Symphony won "Best Edition" award. Society's website relaunched with new digital essay category
"Kum ba yah" is an African American spiritual from Gullah culture. First recorded by Robert Winslow Gordon in 1926 as "H. Wylie". Song likely originated among African Americans in Southeastern US. Two earliest known versions collected in 1926: Minnie Lee manuscript and Gordon's cylinder
Dirge derives from Latin "Dirige" meaning "Direct my way in your sight". Originally referred to Office of the Dead in breviaries and primer prayer books. Office divided into Dirige (morning) and Placebo (evening) hours. Dirige prayers were common at funerals and gravesites before Reformation
Born Nathaniel Adams Coles in 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama. Started music career at age 15 with brother Eddie Cole's Swingsters. Formed King Cole Trio in 1936, becoming top-selling black group on Capitol. Transitioned to solo singing in 1950, recording over 100 hits
Gregorian chant emerged in western Europe during the 9th and 10th centuries. Scholars believe it evolved from Carolingian synthesis of Roman and Gallican chant. Pope Gregory I is often credited with inventing Gregorian chant. Charlemagne spread Gregorian chant across Europe, replacing Gallican traditions
Held August 15-18, 1969 at Max Yasgur's dairy farm in Bethel, New York. Attracted over 460,000 attendees despite rain and traffic jams. Thirty-two acts performed despite challenging weather conditions. Festival became synonymous with 1960s counterculture