[PAR] [TLE] Steel Hammer [SEP] Steel Hammer is a 2009 composition for three sopranos and chamber ensemble by the American composer Julia Wolfe.  It was first performed on November 21, 2009, at Zankel Hall by the contemporary classical music groups Bang on a Can and Trio Mediæval.  The piece is based on the ballad of the African-American tall tale John Henry.  The composition was a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Music. [PAR] [TLE] John Henry (folklore) [SEP] John Henry is an African American folk hero.  He is said to have worked as a "steel-driving man"—a man tasked with hammering a steel drill into rock to make holes for explosives to blast the rock in constructing a railroad tunnel.  According to legend, John Henry's prowess as a steel-driver was measured in a race against a steam-powered hammer, a race that he won only to die in victory with hammer in hand as his heart gave out from stress.  The story of John Henry is told in a classic folk song, which exists in many versions, and has been the subject of numerous stories, plays, books, and novels.  Various locations, including Big Bend Tunnel in West Virginia, Lewis Tunnel in Virginia, and Coosa Mountain Tunnel in Alabama, have been suggested as the site of the contest.
[PAR] [TLE] Steel Hammer [ SEP ] Steel Hammer is a 2009 composition for three sopranos and chamber ensemble by the American composer Julia Wolfe . It was first performed on November 21 , 2009 , at Zankel Hall by the contemporary classical music groups Bang on a Can and Trio Mediæval . The piece is based on the ballad of the African - American tall tale John Henry . The composition was a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Music . [PAR] [TLE] John Henry ( folklore ) [ SEP ] John Henry is an African American folk hero . He is said to have worked as a " steel - driving man"—a man tasked with hammering a steel drill into rock to make holes for explosives to blast the rock in constructing a railroad tunnel . According to legend , John Henry 's prowess as a steel - driver was measured in a race against a steam - powered hammer , a race that he won only to die in victory with hammer in hand as his heart gave out from stress . The story of John Henry is told in a classic folk song , which exists in many versions , and has been the subject of numerous stories , plays , books , and novels . Various locations , including Big Bend Tunnel in West Virginia , Lewis Tunnel in Virginia , and Coosa Mountain Tunnel in Alabama , have been suggested as the site of the contest .
Steel Hammer was based on which African American folk hero who worked as a "steel-driving man"?
Steel Hammer was based on which African American folk hero who worked as a " steel - driving man " ?
John Henry
John Henry