![]() ![]() Two earlier, more “modernist” works ( From the Land of Dreams, February 1925, and Levee Land, January 1926,) left his audiences puzzled rather than pleased. An early period, relatively short-lived, reflected Varese’s influence most directly. This program includes three landmarks in Still’s composing career they represent aspects of the three style periods-variously shaped by his African American identity and his relationship with musical modernism-he later described. ![]() Although his connections with Hollywood were brief and occasionally controversial, Still remained in Los Angeles, eventually composing eight operas and a large quantity of orchestral and chamber music. For example: three major works were premiered between April 1930 and October 1931: Africa, the ballet Sahdji, and the now well-known Afro-American Symphony. Long after Still had distanced himself from Varèse’s ultramodernist aesthetic, he reaffirmed his appreciation for his mentor’s teaching and his friendship.īy the time he left New York in 1934 with a Guggenheim fellowship, Still was established as an arranger (on Broadway and in radio) and as a composer. Varèse encouraged his lyric gifts, introduced him to modernist scores, challenged him to experiment with form, programmed his music on International Composers Guild concerts, and saw that he met conductors who would become his champions. That was when he found his way to Edgar Varèse, with whom he studied for about two years while his commercial work continued to grow. Returning to New York, he succeeded Fletcher Henderson as recording director for the short-lived Black Swan label. When the show moved to Boston, Still sought out George Whitefield Chadwick for composition lessons. Handy two years later he became the oboist in the pit orchestra for Sissle and Blake’s groundbreaking Shuffle Along. He came to New York in 1919 to play and arrange for W.C. ![]() ![]() William Grant Still (1895-1978) grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas he attended Wilberforce College and, more briefly, Oberlin. , performed on Maat Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. Written for the concert Revisiting William Grant Still 2īy Catherine Parsons Smith is the author of William Grant Still (Illinois, 2008) William Grant Still: A Study in Contradictions (California, 2000) and Making Music in Los Angeles (California, 2007) William Grant Still, Darker America, Africa, Symphony No. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |