Saturday, January 11, 2020

John Malveaux: July 1, 2020 concert BROTHERHOOD of MAN to include L.A. premiere of 'Bicentennial Symphony' by composer Roy Harris

Roy Harris

William Grant Still

John Malveaux of 
writes:

MusicUNTOLD is currently developing a July 1, 2020 concert titled BROTHERHOOD of MAN, to include Los Angeles premiere of composer Roy Harris 'Bicentennial Symphony'.  The symphony premiered in Washington DC with Maestro Murry Sidlin conducting the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in 1976 to celebrate the 200th birthday of our nation. It is the strongest musical statement on U.S. History, slavery, and race relations ever made by an American composer.  The work was written for orchestra with large chorus.  The chorus carries the larger part of the work with passages from the Preamble to the Constitution, the Gettysburg Address, and the Emancipation Proclamation as well as original passages. 

During a brief recent visit to the United States, Shawn Harris, elder son of Roy Harris, sent me ONE TENTH of OUR NATION with music composed by Roy Harris.  See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKX9UzsWkqc. Shawn Harris is a former popular music musician and producer who also served as president of Barry Manilow's publishing company before retiring from music in 2004.

The July 1, 2020 BROTHERHOOD of MAN concert second half will be devoted to 125th anniversary of William Grant Still. Concert location to be announced February 2020.

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