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Orchestral Compositions

  • Autograph score for “A Negro Work Song”
  • Dvořák’s use of folk music in classical composition influenced Dawson.
  • Hear Dawson in 1982 relay how he was inspired to title his symphony the Negro Folk Symphony (11:44 min.).
  • S. L. Roxy Rothafel, who selected Dawson’s Tuskegee Choir for the Radio City Music Hall opening, also introduced Dawson’s work to infamous conductor Leopold Stokowski.
  • Portrait of Leopold Stokowski
  • Copy of the program of Philadelphia Orchestra performance at Carnegie Hall, November 20, 1934
  • Autographed score for “Oh, m’ Lit’l’ Soul Gwin-A Shine” around which Dawson based the second theme of the first movement of the Negro Folk Symphony.
  • A page from Dawson’s manuscript score for the Negro Folk Symphony, displaying part of its second movement.
  • A page from Dawson’s manuscript score for the Negro Folk Symphony, displaying part of its third movement.
  • A Tuskegee Sunday procession--possibly Homecoming--filmed by Dawson.
  • Dawson with his field recording equipment in West Africa, 1952.
  • Listen to Dawson talk about his travels in West Africa (2:34 min.).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 1 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 2 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 3 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 4 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 5 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 6 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 7 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 8 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 9 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 10 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 11 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 12 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 13 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 14 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 15 of 16).
  • Video footage from Dawson’s trip to Africa (watch video 16 of 16).
  • Music recorded in Freetown and Port Loco, Sierra Leone, 12 December 1952 (reel 1, recording 1)
  • Music recorded in Freetown and Port Loco, Sierra Leone, 12 December 1952 (reel 2, recording 1)
  • Music recorded at Fourah Bay College and Suehn Mission, 12 December 1952 (reel 3, recording 1)
  • Music recorded at Suehn Industrial Academy, 20 December 1952 (reel 4, recording 1)
  • Music recorded in Suehn, 22 December 1952 (reel 5, recording 1)
  • Music recorded in Gbarnga and Sanequelle, Liberia, 24 December 1952 (reel 6, recording 1)
  • Music recorded in Gbangitown and Kakata, Liberia, 2 January 1953 (reel 8, recording 1)
  • Music recorded in Liberia and Accra, Ghana, 13 January 1953 (reel 9, recording 1)
  • Music recorded in Accra, Ghana, 15 January 1953 (reel 10, recording 1)
  • Music recorded in Accra, Ghana, 21 January 1953 (reel 11, recording 1)
  • Music recorded in Ghana, 24 January 1953 (reel 12, recording 1)
  • Music recorded in Dahomey, 27 January 1953 (reel 13, recording 1)
  • Music recorded in Dahomey, 2 February 1953 (reel 14, recording 1)
  • Music recorded in Dahomey, 4 February 1953 (reel 15, recording 1)
  • Music recorded in Dahomey, 9 February 1953 (reel 16, recording 1)
  • Photograph of Dawson and Leopold Stokowski, October 29, 1963
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Manuscript score for the Negro Folk Symphony, 3rd movement [version 10], [post-1956?]

A page from Dawson’s manuscript score for the Negro Folk Symphony, displaying part of its third movement.

Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony, often performed in conjunction with William Grant Still's Afro-American Symphony, has been performed and recorded by the American Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.