On a Painting by Henry Ossawa Tanner: The Thankful Poor (2020)
for Unaccompanied flute
Duration: 8.5 minutes
Premiere: September 30, 2021, Clare Longendyke, Chicago, Illinois
On a Painting by Henry Ossawa Tanner: The Thankful Poor is a solo flute work inspired by Tanner’s 1894 painting of the same name. Tanner, one of the first African American artists to gain international acclaim, often depicted scenes of quiet reflection and deep spirituality—qualities that resonate with my musical language. The painting portrays an elder and a young boy seated in prayerful communion, embodying gratitude amid hardship. I imagine their exchange as a sacred intergenerational moment—rich with stories, wisdom, and silent questions. This piece captures that intimacy through shifting moods: soulful, reflective, animated, and weighty. It’s a musical meditation on thankfulness, tenderness, and enduring hope.