From the album afroamerican symphony by william grant still on napster. Often referred to as the dean of africanamerican composers, still was born in woodville, mississippi on may 11, 1895, to a family of negro, indian, spanish, irish and scotch blood. Afroamerican symphony 1930 afroamerican symphony was a milestone in stills career as it was the first symphony by a black composer to be performed by a major orchestra the symphony blends jazz, blues and spirituals into a traditional classical form, which elevates that music as. May 11, 1895 december 3, 1978 was an american composer of nearly 200 works, including five symphonies and nine operas. The fourmovement afroamerican symphony 1930, the bestknown of his works, remains a landmark in the history of american music as the first symphonic work by an africanamerican. The symphony was performed by 34 other american and european orchestras during the 1930s. Still is known primarily for his first symphony, afroamerican symphony, which was until 1950.
He added the unique use of the solo banjo in the 3rd movement of afro american symphony. Still was the first afroamerican in the united states to have a symphony performed by a major symphony orchestra. William grant still exhibition opening to the afroamerican symphony. William grant still, african american composer, arranger. His afroamerican symphony is one of the best known symphonies by a black composer, and established him as a major composer. I love the music of william grant still in fact, my label bay cities was certainly one of the first to do an all still cd way back in 1988. Though a prolific composer of operas, ballets, symphonies, and other works, he was best known for his afroamerican symphony 1931.
Florida state university libraries electronic theses, treatises and dissertations the graduate school 2007 signifying. Among the many recordings of the afroamerican symphony is chandos 9154. William grant stills career was comprised of many firsts. He was the first africanamerican composer to have a symphony performed by a professional orchestra in the u. Flute, oboe, clarinet, horn in f, bassoon intermediate composed by william grant still 18951978. Stills afroamerican symphony was the first symphony by a black composer to be performed by a major orchestra. For a genius jazzy symphony, heres something you should give an ear to. Youtube symphony orchestra by having them submit video introduc. However, naxos has gone the extra mile for still, including a key work never heard on record before, his symphonic poem africa written between. William grant stills first symphony, presently known as the afro american, is a rather stirring and attractive work. William grant stills afroamerican symphony has taken on mythic proportions in the history of africanamerican music. Third movement of william grant stills afroamerican. List most h1b employers 2008 free ebook download as pdf file. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Stils 150 classical works included five symphonies, four ballets and nine operas. The background of william grant stills afroamerican symphony the harvard community has made this article openly available. It has fared relatively well on disc, but this disc is most welcome for the excellent advocacy it receives and for the opportunity to hear some of stills other, hitherto unrecorded works. William grant still the dean of afroamerican composers may 11, 1895 december 3, 1978 william grant still is remembered for many musical and historical achievements, including becoming the first africanamerican. Listen to music from william grant still like 3 visions. As such, it is a natural fit for stills entry in the naxos american classics series. The stirring and inspiring finale is presented here, from the first performance issued on longplay records, karl. William grant still 18951978 was an african american composer, jazz arranger, oboist and conductor.
The principal theme of this movement is an original 12bar blues, first stated in the english horn. William grant stills most celebrated work, the africanamerican symphony of 1930, blends negro spirituals with glittering orchestrations to form a work of great. With humble thanks to god, the source of inspiration. This disc completes the naxos cycle of william grant stills symphonies. Still was but three months old when his father, the town bandmaster, died.
What unusual instrument is included in the orchestra for. A student of george chadwick and edgard varese, william grant still developed an idiom that combined tonal harmonies and traditional classical structures with elements of traditional africanamerican music. It was stills afroamerican symphony which became the first blackcomposed symphony performed by an american orchestra. Collection of music recordings of popularpatriotic american songs from the civil war. William grant still, born may 11, 1895, woodville, mississippi, u. The melody is especially relevant as a symbol of the heritage of slavery and freedom. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. If a price is for the score only, call about the purchase or rental of parts.
Afroamerican symphony william grant still wise music classical. American now watches more than 151 hours of television per month. Later to be known as the dean of africanamerican composers, william grant still was born on may 11, 1895 in woodville, mississippi. Riordan rd, ste 100, box 109, flagstaff az 860010819, phone. Listen to your favorite songs from william grant still. George gershwin wont make it into the series, he has plenty of fame already. Stills afroamerican symphony is not only his most famous work, but one of the most popular american symphonies of all time. The student will discuss and reflect upon the life and times of william grant still.
It was premiered by howard hanson and the rochester philharmonic. First performed in 1931, it stands as a powerful symbol of black achievementas one of the first symphonies by an africanamerican composer, as the first work by a black to be performed by a major orchestra, and as one of the most widely recognized musical manifestations of. It was premiered by the eastman rochester philharmonic in 1931. Such is the inscription to be found on the scores of the works of william grant still, sometimes called the dean of africanamerican composers and one of americas most versatile musicians. Scribd is the worlds largest social reading and publishing site. Often referred to as the dean of afroamerican composers, still was the first american composer to have an opera produced by the new york city opera. The background of william grant stills afroamerican symphony. Works for orchestra prices are for scores only unless otherwise noted. True william grant stills suite for violin and piano has several musical qualities found in the blues. Afroamerican symphony, an album by william grant still, john jeter on spotify we and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. William grant still the dean of afroamerican composers.
Africanamerican composer william grant stills signature piece, symphony no. Which of the following did not influence william grant. Deceptive cadence the middle of the 20th century was a golden age for american symphonic music. Sophia lambton looks into the life and times of the littleknown africanamerican musician. Unit william grant still the afroamerican symphony.
Each movement of william grant stills afroamerican symphony is. When baby william was only 3 months old, his father died, and his mother moved the family to little rock, arkansas. William grant still biography william grant still music. Berninis davidno longer stands in the classical contrapposto stance as in the other three davids. It is a symphonic piece for full orchestra, including celeste, harp, and tenor banjo. This weekends rest is noise festival features the first symphony of composer william grant still. Other articles where afroamerican symphony is discussed. Stills afroamerican symphony was, until 1950, the most popular of any symphony composed by an american, having been performed by thirtyeight different orchestras in the united states and europe in its first twenty years. It was premiered in 1931 by the rochester philharmonic orchestra. As of 2010, symphony magazine is publishing 6 issues per year. List most h1b employers 2008 publicly traded companies of. The afroamerican symphony is a compelling reflection of still s diverse range of experiences as a composer and musician.
1532 338 1533 589 1644 596 1082 554 1188 437 740 4 1212 842 1681 698 941 1008 1420 178 1654 615 968 1484 369 1322 830 846 208 227 781 325