Composer Carlos Simon talks with Jim Cunningham about his "Four Black Dances," which Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony will record for the Reference label on Valentines weekend 2025 along with the Dvorak New World Symphony. He also speaks about his Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson music written for Sandra Seaton’s play as performed in Pittsburgh with Pittsburgh Opera and Washington DC. What he’s working on next and his admiration for Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony, his post at the Kennedy Center as Composer in Residence all weave into the discussion in the Grand Lobby at Heinz Hall after his rehearsal.