Harris: Symphony No. 3

The work, completed in 1939, is notable for its single-movement structure that flows seamlessly through five distinct sections. Instead of traditional separate movements, Harris blended tragic, lyrical, and fugue-like passages into one continuous arc.

It incorporates the wide-open, expansive soundscapes of American frontier music while avoiding traditional European classical forms. It is widely celebrated and frequently performed as one of the most important American symphonies of the 20th century.

The symphony was premiered in early 1939 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It was conducted by Serge Koussevitzky, who was a massive champion of American contemporary music at the time.

Unlike many classical symphonies that end with triumphant, massive orchestral chords, Harris's work concludes with a quiet, solemn chorale for the strings. This reflective, hushed ending adds to its distinctly American, expansive character.