Roy Harris premiered his Seventh Symphony in Chicago in 1952. The work subsequently was awarded the Naumburg Prize. In 1955, Harris made many revisions to the symphony, and the new version was premiered in Copenhagen, on September 15, 1955 under the direction of Eugene Ormandy.

The symphony is set in a single movement with two distinctive subsections. Harris notes: "In one sense it is a dance symphony; in another sense it is a study in harmonic and melodic rhythmic variation. The first half is a passacaglia with five variations. The second half is divided into three sections, including contrapuntal variations in asymmetrical rhythms, contrapuntal variations in symmetrical meter, and further statement and development of the preceding two sections. The first half of the work is contemplative and traditional; predominantly tonal harmony pervades. The second half of the work is an expression of American merriment, and predominantly contrapuntal in technique; however, the return of the passacaglia subject in the third section brings back the mood of contemplation which is absorbed in the vigorous coda. In this work I have hoped to communicate the spirit of affirmation as a declaration of faith in Mankind."



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