John Malveaux of MusicUNTOLD.com writes:

American composer Roy Harris' last completed Symphony, "Bicentennial Symphony" (13th), premiered February 10, 11, 12 at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Murry Sidlin to celebrate the 200th birthday of our nation. Original text in the choral symphony, "stand firm against the White Man's shame, they buy slave's blood in freedom's name" along with performance and promotional rights granted to John Malveaux by Johana Harris (wife of Roy Harris) are suspected reasons every major symphony orchestra in the United States has refused to perform the symphony in over 44 years. The controversial original text has been taken out of the full context of the choral symphony. The choral symphony was a celebration of American history NOT a condemnation or indictment of American history.