Uploaded May 2015 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This is the piece that won the first Pulitzer Prize in 1943. William Schuman set to music the words of Walt Whitman, a favorite source for many American composers to this day.
Running at just under fourteen minutes, the work comes in two movements. The first underscores the tragedy of the U.S. Civil War with sorrowful harmonic utterances reminiscent of Shostakovich's Babi yar symphony.
The latter half of the cantata (7:25) stirs up the spirit of patriotism as this work was composed at the height of World War II. Schuman himself was refused entry into the military service due to health-related issues. Instead, he set his sight on making music that both recognized the tension of war and celebrated liberty as the right of all people. The fugal brass section is especially memorable.
Performed by Grant Park Orchestra & Chorus - Ryan J. Cox (Baritone solo)
Conducted by Carlos Kalmar
This recording also contains Pulitzer-winning works by Leo Sowerby and Aaron Copland, available through Cedille Records: cedillerecords.org/albums/the-pulitzer-project
Civil War artwork by Mort Künstler : mortkunstler.com
This is the piece that won the first Pulitzer Prize in 1943. William Schuman set to music the words of Walt Whitman, a favorite source for many American composers to this day.
Running at just under fourteen minutes, the work comes in two movements. The first underscores the tragedy of the U.S. Civil War with sorrowful harmonic utterances reminiscent of Shostakovich's Babi yar symphony.
The latter half of the cantata (7:25) stirs up the spirit of patriotism as this work was composed at the height of World War II. Schuman himself was refused entry into the military service due to health-related issues. Instead, he set his sight on making music that both recognized the tension of war and celebrated liberty as the right of all people. The fugal brass section is especially memorable.
Performed by Grant Park Orchestra & Chorus - Ryan J. Cox (Baritone solo)
Conducted by Carlos Kalmar
This recording also contains Pulitzer-winning works by Leo Sowerby and Aaron Copland, available through Cedille Records: cedillerecords.org/albums/the-pulitzer-project
Civil War artwork by Mort Künstler : mortkunstler.com
