After nearly 30 years of international touring and more than 20 recordings on the harmonia mundi USA label, the four-woman ensemble, Anonymous 4, is saying adieu with a final tour.
Those fortunate enough to attend its performance in downtown Little Rock on Friday night at Christ Episcopal Church experienced a musical treat.
The group's 90-minute concert included special guest and vocalist Bruce Molsky of New York, also a traditional fiddler, banjo player and guitarist.
The performance of 20 songs featured some of those on the ensemble's third Americana album, 1865: Songs of Hope and Home From the American Civil War, released last month.
Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, the album features songs either published between 1861 and 1865 or those that were being widely sung during the war years.
Through the decades, Anonymous 4 became known for tackling a variety of musical styles, including 13th-century European chant and polyphony, American folk and gospel songs, and shape note tunes, as well as songs written for the group.
Members of the ensemble performing Friday night included Ruth Cunningham and Susan Hellauer, both of New York; Marsha Genensky of California; and Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek of Northern Ireland.
The songs performed during the Little Rock stop included Stephen Foster's "Hard Times Come Again No More," featuring five-part harmonies; "Home Sweet Home;" and "Listen to the Mocking Bird," accompanied by the banjo. "The Faded Coat of Blue" paid homage to The Carter Family group.
Folk songs included "Bright Sunny South" and "Brother Green," while instrumental tunes included "Rebel Raid," "Polly Put the Kettle On" and "Camp Chase," which featured Molsky's banjo and fiddle playing.
The group's four-part a cappella singing was highlighted on the hymn "Abide with Me," as well as on the anti-war song "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground."
The concert concluded with a moving performance of the hymn "Shall We Gather at the River?"
Metro on 02/14/2015