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The Time of Our Singing

The Time of Our Singing (2003) is a novel by American writer Richard Powers. It tells the story of two brothers, Jonah and Joseph Strom, who are involved in music, and explores issues of prejudice. Their parents, David Strom and Delia Daley, met at Marian Anderson's 1939 concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial after she had been barred from any other legitimate concert venue because she insisted that the audience be integrated. The story goes back and forth between the generations, describing the unusual coupling of a German-Jewish physicist (David) who has lost his family in the Holocaust and a black woman from Philadelphia (Delia), both of whom have strong musical backgrounds. They impart their love of music to their family. Their two boys study music and become professional musicians: one a singer, the other a pianist. The parent's third child, their daughter Ruth, becomes a militant black activist.

Music referenced in the book
Powers makes many references to specific composers, musicians and singers in the novel. Below are some examples. • "Time Stands Still" by John Dowland (1563–1626) - Page 4 • "Carmen" by Georges Bizet - Page 9 • Nina SimoneSarah Vaughan • "Concierto de Aranjuez" by Joaquín Rodrigo • "Sketches of Spain" by Miles Davis • "Der Erlkönig" by Franz Schubert • "Bist du bei mir" attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach, actually by Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel. • The Visitation by Gunther Schuller • "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles • "Yaller" by Cab Calloway • "A Child of Our Time" by the British composer Michael Tippett ==Physics referenced in the book==
Physics referenced in the book
General Relativity - Page 9 • Second Law of Thermodynamics - Page 88 ==Political references==
Political references
The Daughters of the American Revolution refused permission for Marian Anderson to sing to an integrated audience in Constitution Hall. • Black Panther Party ==Critical reception==
Critical reception
The novel won the 2004 Ambassador Book Award for fiction, won the 2004 WH Smith Literary Award, and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award the year before. ==References==
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