Slave Songs of the United States

Irving Schlein composed piano accompaniments to a collection of 136 slave songs originally published in 1867. A new, improved edition of this work has been published by Hal Leonard® and is available for purchase. Below are original versions of three of the songs from the 1867 book, together with Schlein's piano versions.

To display the philosophy behind these piano works, we quote from the Foreward Schlein wrote for his publication:

"The question arises as to what should be the most appropriate type of accompaniment. There are generally two kinds: the arranger's and the composer's. The former writes a simple, unobtrusive harmonic background that permits the melody to soar freely, while the latter creates an original accompaniment that is more a reflection of the composer's mood and feeling engendered by the melody. The harmony becomes more colorful with the added danger however that the simplicity and charm of the original melody may be lost amidst a welter of 'modernisms'. In these harmonizations I have tried to steer a middle course: I have allowed my imagination to expand within bounds of reason and restraint. I have never lost sight of the simplicity of melody and words which are of utmost importance in the Slave Songs:"

---