Composer

:

Morton Gould

Genre

:

Symphony

Style

:

Symphony

Compose Date

:

1976

Average_duration

:

31:44

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Symphony of Spirituals is a composition by Morton Gould, an American composer, pianist, and conductor. The symphony was composed in 1951 and premiered on January 17, 1952, by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos. The symphony consists of three movements, each based on a different spiritual. The first movement, titled "Sinner, Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass," is a slow and mournful piece that features the orchestra's brass section. The second movement, "Deep River," is a more upbeat and lively piece that features the orchestra's woodwind section. The final movement, "Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit," is a fast and energetic piece that features the orchestra's percussion section. The Symphony of Spirituals is characterized by its use of traditional African American spirituals as the basis for its movements. Gould's use of these spirituals was groundbreaking at the time, as they had not been widely used in classical music before. The symphony also features Gould's signature use of syncopation and jazz-inspired rhythms, which give the piece a unique and modern feel. Overall, the Symphony of Spirituals is a powerful and moving work that showcases Gould's skill as a composer and his ability to blend different musical styles and traditions. It remains a popular and influential piece in the classical music canon.

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