This is brilliant from the beginning and holds your ear, concentration, and interest throughout its entirity. It is so dignified and sophisticated to be the 1st and last by the it's composer and strong enough to stand alone; enough for a lifetime's work. I find it perfect.
One of the hardest piccolo parts I have played so far outside of anything written by Shostakovich and Stravinsky. Not only is it the sprinkles on top of the ice cream, but it's also its own solo instrument in the flute section. This is a magical symphony and it shows you how composers of color approach the symphony orchestra in terms of orchestration. Some folks say it's overly orchestrated. Sure, at times it seems that way, but also look at the time this was written. The old adage that folks of color have to work harder to prove our point and I'm sure Dawson had to do the same. This is one fine example of US American Symphonic sounds!
This is a fantastic symphony. I wish some orchestra would give us a modern recording which it rightfully deserves. Great orhestration. Such integral handling of themes. Man, I love this. What an enlightenment !!!
His singular orchestral masterpiece!!! A GREAT American symphony!!! I would also suggest the Florence Price Symphony No. 3 and William Grant Still Symphony No. 1
If you're looking for another high-quality, professional recording, in this case live, check out the recently released version by Roderick Cox and the Seattle Symphony.
This was a nice discovery and pleasant suprise. Musicologists hve to discover why it was first AND THE LAST. After such success, wuldnt it bee an inspiration to compose another one? Thnk you for posting this. I cam here over your dorico post how to delete a "FLOW" ... and ended up listening this symphony... procrsstinating ... he? 🙂
If you liked this, you may also enjoy listening to William Grant Still. I have one or two up on my channel, and I'd like to do many more in the future.
Thank you for uploading this. It is always a pleasure to experience new music, especially from previously unknown (at least to me) African American composers. I always get something from your videos, but this was especially satisfying. Looking forward to the next one.
Thank you for sharing this insight into this wonderful symphony. This is to me one of the most 'perfect' symphonies. I first heard it a few years ago and it's stuck with me in ways few works have.
That's an interesting comment because many would feel Gershwin was influenced by black music, as particularly evidenced in his final major work, Porgy & Bess. However, you can see lots of influences in that direction from the very beginning. (Yes, I do see some Gershwin similarities in the Dawson!)
![Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93 [Böhm & VPO] (with Score)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/D-snKvzL3tM/mqdefault.jpg)
This is wonderful. Playing this next week (violin) with our local Philharmonic, along with Rhapsody in Blue.
See you there!
This is brilliant from the beginning and holds your ear, concentration, and interest throughout its entirity. It is so dignified and sophisticated to be the 1st and last by the it's composer and strong enough to stand alone; enough for a lifetime's work. I find it perfect.
One of the hardest piccolo parts I have played so far outside of anything written by Shostakovich and Stravinsky. Not only is it the sprinkles on top of the ice cream, but it's also its own solo instrument in the flute section. This is a magical symphony and it shows you how composers of color approach the symphony orchestra in terms of orchestration. Some folks say it's overly orchestrated. Sure, at times it seems that way, but also look at the time this was written. The old adage that folks of color have to work harder to prove our point and I'm sure Dawson had to do the same. This is one fine example of US American Symphonic sounds!
This is a fantastic symphony. I wish some orchestra would give us a modern recording which it rightfully deserves. Great orhestration. Such integral handling of themes. Man, I love this. What an enlightenment !!!
Philadelphia with YNS recorded it on DG, released Sep 2023, paired with Florence Price's Symphony #4. Also, Jarvi with Detroit on Chandos from 1993.
His singular orchestral masterpiece!!! A GREAT American symphony!!! I would also suggest the Florence Price Symphony No. 3 and William Grant Still Symphony No. 1
If you're looking for another high-quality, professional recording, in this case live, check out the recently released version by Roderick Cox and the Seattle Symphony.
Thank you for sharing, great!!!
This was a nice discovery and pleasant suprise. Musicologists hve to discover why it was first AND THE LAST. After such success, wuldnt it bee an inspiration to compose another one? Thnk you for posting this. I cam here over your dorico post how to delete a "FLOW" ... and ended up listening this symphony... procrsstinating ... he? 🙂
If you liked this, you may also enjoy listening to William Grant Still. I have one or two up on my channel, and I'd like to do many more in the future.
18:38 Flute Excerpt
Thank you for uploading this. It is always a pleasure to experience new music, especially from previously unknown (at least to me) African American composers. I always get something from your videos, but this was especially satisfying. Looking forward to the next one.
Glad to hear it -- thanks! There's much more I'd love to post (time allowing). Next up might be William Grant Still, a composer I greatly admire.
Thank you for sharing this insight into this wonderful symphony. This is to me one of the most 'perfect' symphonies. I first heard it a few years ago and it's stuck with me in ways few works have.
18:37
I feel like it’s influenced by Gershwin
That's an interesting comment because many would feel Gershwin was influenced by black music, as particularly evidenced in his final major work, Porgy & Bess. However, you can see lots of influences in that direction from the very beginning.
(Yes, I do see some Gershwin similarities in the Dawson!)
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