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Negro Folk Symphony

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra

'I hope the audience will hear that only a black person could have written this,' William Dawson said of his Negro Folk Symphony, now composed 91 years ago.

"My music tastes like cod," Edvard Grieg thought, referring to the salty Norwegian folk melodies that permeate his work. With African-American William Dawson, he has a kindred spirit. 'I hope the audience will hear that only a black could have written this,' he said of his Negro Folk Symphony (1934) - inspired by spirituals, West African rhythms and the history of 250 years of slavery. A revelation.

programme

Dawson Negro Folk Symphony (Dutch premiere) | Grieg Pianoconcert | Strauss Don Juan

credits

Roderick Cox conductor | Alexander Gavrylyuk piano