To Awaken the Sleeper

Reference Recordings proudly presents a landmark recording—the first commercial release devoted exclusively to the music of Joel Thompson. This project brings together the acclaimed composer and the Kansas City Symphony under the direction of Michael Stern. Joining them are some of today’s most distinguished artists engaged with the same urgent themes: cellist Yo-Yo Ma, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, and the Sphinx Organization’s vocal ensemble EXIGENCE, led by Eugene Rogers. The result is a collection of powerful music marked by profound insight and unwavering conviction, brought vividly to life through the artistry and commitment of these exceptional collaborators.

The career of composer Joel Thompson has risen rapidly since the premiere of his breakthrough choral work Seven Last Words of the Unarmed in 2015. Each of its seven movements sets to music the final words spoken by an unarmed Black man before his death. Since then, Thompson has received numerous prestigious awards, earned commissions from many of America’s leading orchestras and ensembles, and became the first Composer-in-Residence at Houston Grand Opera. Today, his compositional voice is widely recognized as one of the most compelling and socially engaged in American music, giving expression to the experiences and aspirations of historically marginalized communities.

Founded in 1982, the Kansas City Symphony has experienced a similarly remarkable ascent under the leadership of Michael Stern, who served as Music Director from 2005 to 2024. During his nineteen-year tenure, Stern transformed the orchestra from a respected regional ensemble into one of the leading orchestras in the United States, significantly enhancing its national and international reputation. Throughout his leadership, he demonstrated a steadfast commitment to contemporary music, American composers, and works that address the most pressing issues of our time.mastered by the team at Soundmirror, whose outstanding orchestral, solo, opera and chamber recordings have received over 140 GRAMMY® nominations and awards.