Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs - MBM1000 | Music

Related to the Quakers, the Shakers were a religious sect that formed in the 18th century. Ticheli's composition includes four songs from the Shaker tradition in different styles. The first movement is a hymn that honors nature in a tribute to springtime. The second movement is in dance style and mimics a Shaker worship ceremony. The third movement is a lullaby and is a gift song. A gift song is music that Shaker mediums receive from spirits while in a trance. The fourth movement is the ever popular Simple Gifts and is also a possible gift song.