Photograph of Dawson and Leopold Stokowski, October 29, 1963

Following his sabbatical in West Africa in 1952, Dawson revised his Negro Folk Symphony, “infusing it with a rhythmic foundation strongly inspired by African influences” (Dawson, 1965). Upon founding the American Symphony Orchestra in 1962, Leopold Stokowski began working to increase public knowledge of American composers, including Dawson. Stokowski, who had earlier conducted the symphony’s world premiere, recorded the revised Negro Folk Symphony with his American Symphony Orchestra in 1963. It was the first recording the newly formed orchestra made. Stokowski wrote about the symphony, “Dawson has succeeded in portraying the aspect of American life which is both vital and personal. I believe this work to be a distinct achievement in American music.” (Negro Folk Symphony Brochure; Monroe 128).