The Wonders of Black Classical Music (1A)

Joseph Horowitz (The1a.org), The 1A Host Jenn White (NPRr.org/podcasts, MLK DAY rebroadcast 1/17/22); Crystal Quintero, Ashley Wells, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Negro Folk Symphony: II Hope in the Night b Dawson, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi

Beethoven's Black sister like Shakespeare's sister

This is a special program for MLK Day, 1A’s latest collaboration with Washington, D.C.’s PostClassical Ensemble (PCE).

It includes highlights of a concert hosted by 1A Host Jenn White at All Souls Church in the district (DC). It was the curtain-raiser for a season-long project that explores the roots of America’s Black classical music.

All are invited on a journey of rediscovery — from the “sorrow songs” to the spiritual arrangements of composer Harry Burleigh and the musical prophecies of Antonin Dvorak.

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• Guest PCE Executive Director Joseph Horowitz (the1a.org)

PCE Executive Director Joseph Horowitz has previously acted as a guide as 1A explored the relevance of composers Antonin Dvorak and Aaron Copland to America’s cultural story.

The centerpiece this time is William Levi Dawson’s “Negro Folk Symphony.” Horowitz says, “It is one of the most formidable, most stirring and uplifting symphonies in the American symphonic repertoire.”

So why after its 1934 premiere did it sink into oblivion?

Highlights are courtesy of PCE as part of its partnership with Howard University and the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts.

Performances also showcased other leading Black composers. They include Florence Price and Margaret Bonds, with readings from famous W. E. B. Du Bois and Langston Hughes.

This is a “More than Music” production, scripted and edited by Joseph Horowitz. The technical producer was Peter Bogdanoff. Music was used with the permission of Naxos.

More information can be found HERE on the film The Souls of Black Folk and five additional Dvorak’s Prophecy documentary films produced by Joe Horowitz Naxos. More + AUDIO