Update Title: 46819E03-E7BF-4354-8C4E-47C53D5A64DB

ID

Titlecode

Title Name

Marketing Copy

Instrumentation

Commission

Dedication

Program Notes

The idea of writing a song cycle to Dunbar's poetry occurred to me after completing my setting of Love's Apotheosis, which I wrote initially for my jazz group in New York. I had bought the complete poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar out of a sense of curiosity, as I had heard the name often, but knew little about his work. The music for Love's Apotheosis seemed to flow effortlessly and I found that I felt a special connection with this poet, which, I am sure, will lead to other compositions.

My idea, in writing the Shadow of Dawn was to find a narrative thread or progression between the poems. Dunbar's life is an intriguing mixture of success and failure, joy and sorrow. Dunbar was born in Dayton Ohio in 1872, the son of freed slaves. He lived at a critical, transitional time for African Americans, rising to international fame as America's first professional black poet. I felt I had to allude to his short enigmatic life in the choice of poems.

I see the poems as presenting a progression from light and optimism to despair and darkness. I see Dawn as a prelude to life, full of hope and youthful ardor. Love's Apotheosis, written shortly after his marriage is self- explanatory. The remaining three poems, We wear the mask probably his most famous work, One Life and Sympathy all express Dunbar's thoughts and feelings about the multi-faceted phenomenon of racism. The tone of each is however distinct and unique. He uses his lyrical gifts to express the dilemmas and frustrations of black American life in general in addition to his own particular experience as a serious black poet. His situation is beautifully expressed in the profound line from Sympathy:- " I know why the caged bird sings, ah me," -Richard Thompson

Title Brand

Year Composed

Copyright Number

Copyright Year

Duration

Ensemble Size

Date Created

Date Updated

Inhouse Note

Bsc Code

Text Author

Premier Performance Memo

Recording Credits

Review

Awards

Title Category

Title Movements

Title Grade

Set Series ID

Title Instrument Category Text

Title Sub Category Text

Title Sub Category

Title Instrument Header

Title Grade Text

Clean Url