Prelude - Before Sundawn
SUNDAWN- MR. DAWSON’S STRUT
The prelude BEFORE SUNDAWN is written for solo bamboo flute, strings and woodwinds with an emphasis on the lower instruments, cello, bass, bassoon and bass clarinet. The bass instruments play varying rhythmic ostinato patterns while the violins and violas provide counter melodies. The solo bamboo flute interweaves the composed bass and violin lines with tonal rhythms, percussive sounds, and portamento improvisational responses. The prelude segues into SUNDAWN- MR. DAWSON'S STRUT written for full orchestra and solo improvising flute.
This work has been performed by the following symphony orchestras: Philadelphia, Atlanta, Baltimore, New Jersey, Marin, Richmond, Syracuse, Saginaw, Lancaster Festival, Southeast Symphony of Alaska and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. This work is inspired by and dedicated to William L. Dawson, a prominent American composer and choral director. Leopold Stowkowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra premiered his composition, THE NEGRO FOLK SYMPHONY. Mr. Dawson was known worldwide for his choral arrangements and as the music director of the Tuskegee Institute Choir.
The prelude BEFORE SUNDAWN is written for solo bamboo flute, strings and woodwinds with an emphasis on the lower instruments, cello, bass, bassoon and bass clarinet. The bass instruments play varying rhythmic ostinato patterns while the violins and violas provide counter melodies. The solo bamboo flute interweaves the composed bass and violin lines with tonal rhythms, percussive sounds, and portamento improvisational responses. The prelude segues into SUNDAWN- MR. DAWSON'S STRUT written for full orchestra and solo improvising flute.
This work has been performed by the following symphony orchestras: Philadelphia, Atlanta, Baltimore, New Jersey, Marin, Richmond, Syracuse, Saginaw, Lancaster Festival, Southeast Symphony of Alaska and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. This work is inspired by and dedicated to William L. Dawson, a prominent American composer and choral director. Leopold Stowkowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra premiered his composition, THE NEGRO FOLK SYMPHONY. Mr. Dawson was known worldwide for his choral arrangements and as the music director of the Tuskegee Institute Choir.
