Negro Folk Symphony III. O Let Me Shine!

(Movement III. is 20:58-28:20)

General Description: "On Nov. 20, 1934, a brand new symphony brought a Carnegie Hall audience to its feet. The concert featured the Philadelphia Orchestra, led by conductor Leopold Stokowski. William Dawson was called back to the stage several times to take bows after his symphony ended. 

One New York critic called it 'the most distinctive and promising American symphonic proclamation which has so far been achieved.' 

Dawson said he wasn’t out to imitate Beethoven or Brahms, but wanted those who heard it to know that it was 'unmistakably not the work of a white man.' He found inspiration for the piece in traditional spirituals, which he preferred to call 'Negro folk-music.'"-NPR

Program Note: “The concluding movement - again in sonata form - takes its title from the first of two spiritual tunes that make up its themes. 'O, Le’ Me Shine, Shine Like a Morning Star!' characterized by its long-held opening pitch, and 'Hallelujah, Lord, I Been Down Into the Sea.' 

The “missing link” motif is absent from this movement, although it bears a slight similarity to the first four notes of 'O, Le’ Me Shine,' suggesting the latter may have inspired it. The Juba rhythms return in the development section, and the piece concludes with a magnificent coda featuring prominent timpani and syncopation.” - Frank K. Dewald

Note on the Title: "The title of the 'Negro Folk Symphony' merits discussion. The word 'Negro,' uncomfortable to many today, was for Dawson and others of his generation a term of pride and respect. Although mainstream preferences had shifted by the time of his passing in 1990, Dawson remained committed to the old word. For him, 'Black' was a color, too limited to encompass his heritage." - Gwynne Kuhner Brown

Duple Meter: This movement is in Cut Time, which means there are two half notes in a bar (2/2). The beats feel much larger, because the half note gets the beat!

Sonata Form: (See Notable Passages Below)
Exposition, First Theme: 20:58-21:46
   Transition: 21:46-22:09
Exposition, Second Theme: 22:09-22:54
Development: 22:54-25:43
Recapitulation: 25:43-27:41
Coda: 27:41-28:20

Table of Contents:
Movement I. The Bond of Africa
Movement II. Hope in the Night
Movement III. O Let Me Shine!