Update Title: 597159AE-9D5E-4B98-98C8-1C31C5561042

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It was the autumn of 1985 when the composer was first approached by Stephen Osmond, Music Director of the Jackson [Michigan] Symphony Orchestra, with the idea of a new work honoring the great American Civil Rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr.  A year and a half later, in April of 1987 Legacy of Vision: Martin Luther King was given its world premiere, sharing the bill with Beethoven's moving testament to  human brotherhood, his Ninth Symphony.

Legacy of Vision is Dr. Brown's attempt to capture in words and music the nobility, idealism, and urgency with which Dr. King spoke.  Passages from Dr. King's most important speeches combine with the simple, stirring beauty of spirituals which reflect the heroism and tragedy of his life.  The piece pays tribute to Dr. King's power to move hearts and minds when he spoke of the tremendous need of all people for simple justice and commitment to a higher purpose in life.

Since that performance in 1987,  Legacy of Vision has received numerous performances.  In 1991, the piece was recorded for broadcast on American Public Radio's "Classically Black:  A Celebration Concert" in a performance by the Champaign/Urbana Symphony Orchestra and the University of Illinois Black Chorus under the direction of Ollie Watts with the world-renowned baritone, William Warfield, as narrator.

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Premier Performance Memo

-Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra/ James Conlon. 24 May 2002.
-Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, In Unison Choir/ Robert Ray. William Warfield, narrator. 20, 21 Feb 2001.
-Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra/ Anne Lundy. 14 Jan 2001.

-Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra/ Victor Yampolsky. 17, 22 Jan 2000.

-Kalamazoo Symphony, Multi-Ethnic Gospel Choir/ Yoshimi Takeda. Van Washington, narrator.10 Apr 99. 
-Rochester Philharmonic, Roberts Weslyan College Chorale/ Jeff Tyzik.  William Warfield, narrator. 07 Feb 99. 
-McKeesport Symphony Orchestra/ Bernard Goldberg. Charles Mikell, narrator. 27 Feb 99.

-Saginaw Bay Orchestra/ Leo Najar. 31 Jan 98.
-Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/ Daniel Hege. George Arnold, narrator. 08 Jan 98. MLK memorial concert.

-Nashville Symphony Orchestra/ Karen Deal. William Warfield, narrator. 19 Jan 97.
-Glencliff High School/ Tommy Johnson. 19 Feb 97.  Piano and choir only.

-Greater Spartanburg Philharmonic/ William Scott. William Warfield, narrator. 03, 04 Feb 96.
-South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts (Greenville)/William Scott. William Warfield, narrator. 29 Jul 94.
-Danville Symphony Orchestra and Vermilion Festival Chorus/ Martin Piecuch. William Warfield, narrator. 16 Jan 94.
-Washington Civic Symphony and Howard University Choir/ Martin Piecuch. William Warfield, narrator. 20 Feb 93.
-Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra/ Yoshimi Takeda. Von Washington, narrator. 17 Oct 92.
-Jackson Symphony Orchestra/ Stephen Osmond. William Warfield, narrator. 01, 02 Feb 92.
-University of Utah Symphony and Rocky Mountain Gospel Choir/ Robert Debbaut. William Warfield, narrator. 17 Jan 92.
-Champaign-Urban Symphony Orchestra and University of Illinois Black Chorus/ Ollie Watts-Davis. William Warfield, narrator. 03 Oct 91.
-Flint Symphony Orchestra/ Leo Najar. Jul 91.
-West Shore Symphony Orchestra/ Murray Gross. Jesse Starr, narrator. 13 Jan 90.
-World Premiere, Jackson Symphony Orchestra/ Stephen Osmond. Nate Jackson, Jr., narrator. 25 Apr 87.

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