O'Neal Douglas, D.M.A.
onealdouglas.com
onealdouglas.com
On March 17, 2014 AfriClassical posted:
The announcement of Kevin Scott said, in part:
The first concert,
entitled "From the South: The Folk and Spiritual Sounds of
African-American Traditions" will feature the first New York performance
of O'Neal Douglas' Harriet, a symphony in three movements
depicting the legacy of the noted abolitionist...
We have invited O'Neal Douglas to elaborate, and he has done so:
"Harriet" was commissioned by the Cali School of Music Commissioning Project for the Montclair State University Wind Symphony, Montclair, New Jersey, Thomas McCauley, Conductor. The World Premiere Performance took place on Friday, April 23, 2010, in the Alexander Kasser Theater.
This is from the program notes:
"From
childhood throughout my adult life, there have been many people from
history that I have looked upon as heroes, people who have exhibited
courage and a selflessness that goes well beyond the normal limits of
the average individual. One such hero is Harriet Ross Tubman, born
Araminta Ross (1822-1913). The fact that she escaped to freedom but then
took on the responsibility of returning to where she had escaped from
to free others to a better life is amazing and inspiring to me. With
slave catchers and bounty hunters on the search, she put herself in
harm's way many times to help others. Most of Harriet Tubman's work
helping slaves to the north was done by means of the “Underground
Railroad,” a large network of people who gave help to fugitive slaves to
get to the Northern states of the U.S. or to Canada. The system was not
actually underground or a railroad but got its name because of its
methods. The system did however use railroad terms to describe certain
aspects. Rest stops were called stations or depots, people in charge of
stations were called stationmasters, and people in charge of moving
people from one station to another were called conductors, for which
Harriet Tubman was the later. Tubman also became referred to as Moses,
named after the biblical man who led the Jewish population from Egypt.
Tubman would later serve as an anti-slavery advocate, participate in the
women's rights movement, and serve as a nurse, scout, and spy for the
Union Army.
When
Harriet Tubman arrived at plantations, she used coded songs/spirituals
to gather, group and give instructions to fugitive slaves for travel
northward. These coded songs originated in the churches of
African-American slaves. Songs like “Wade in the Water” provided escape
instructions in the lyrics. The title of the song is actually an
instruction to wade across streams as a method to keep bloodhounds from
scenting their tracks. “Follow the Drinking Gourd” not only contained
hidden instructions, but also conveyed a detailed map of how to reach
Canada. The Drinking Gourd referred to the constellation the Big Dipper
for which the North Star is included. Slaves knew that if they followed
it they were headed north. Another favorite song of Harriet Tubman, “Go
Down Moses” was used as a signal to let slaves know that she was in the
area and that a trip northward was being planned. I chose to use this
song as thematic material for this composition because of its compelling
and haunting nature, and its familiarity. Other compositional elements
contained in “Harriet” are based on the melodic and harmonic structure
of “Go Down Moses.”
I
had been waiting for the right opportunity to write a composition
inspired by Harriet Tubman for years so when Dr. Thomas McCauley
approached me with the possibility I immediately accepted the
commission. I have known Tom a number of years now and every project we
have collaborated on has been a fantastic, spiritual experience. Tom
always brings a vibrant dynamic to the music that goes well beyond just
the notes on the page, and he is a “first class artist.” The premiere by
Tom and his fantastic group was amazing, and was so emotional it
brought tears to my eyes. I thank him and his students for such an
astounding musical experience. "
Movement I. Araminta's Escape
Harriet Tubman was born Araminta Ross. After her escape,
she took on the first name Harriet and used her married name of Tubman.
My goal in this movement was to represent what must have been a
dangerous, terrifying and anxiety ridden first escape. There are short
quotes from the song “Go Down Moses” throughout. For the last section of
this movement, I used the song “Go Down Moses” to represent her
liberation into a new life and her resolve to help others to freedom.
Movement II. Stranger in a Strange Land
This movement represents the solitude of being away from
home and family. It was during this time that she finds work to fund her
return trips and makes intricate plans to return to Maryland to help
free her family and others.
Movement III. Moses
The beginning of this movement returns to the tension and
anxiety of participating in the escapes of other slaves including family
members, through the Underground Railroad. The title is a reference to
the fact that many referred to Harriet Tubman as “Moses.” The middle
section of this movement returns to the song “Go Down Moses.” It ends
in a spiritually evocative mood reminding us of Harriet’s courage and
heroic accomplishments in the face of danger and adversity.
Thanks,
O'Neal Douglas, D.M.A.
http://www.onealdouglas.com
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