American Maestro performs Russian Premiere of William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony

[Alison Buchanan, Darnell Ishmel, Marlon Daniel]

February 11, 2011 Kazan, Russia, Maestro Marlon Daniel's performance of an all American program will be an integral part of the "American Seasons in Russia" cultural festival (http://www.americanseasons.ru/), inspired by the early-1900s "Russian Seasons" cultural exchange in Paris. The concert will be highlighted by the first Russian performance of William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony and will be featured alongside other American visiting artists such as the The Aeolians Gospel Choir and the Chicago Symphony with Ricardo Muti.

Judith Anne Still, daughter of the composer, comments on this history-making event:

“We are delighted to hear that you will be performing my father’s symphony, the “Afro-American Symphony”… you are fortunate to have the widely-praised conductor, Maestro Marlon Daniel, conducting this important premiere. … he is one of our brightest young conductors and foremost interpreter of music by composers of African descent and a champion of works by my father, William Grant Still.

Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to Candide and George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess Concert Suite with outstanding soloists American baritone Darnell Ishmel, and British soprano Alison Buchanan also highlight the program.

PROGRAM

Tatarstan State Symphony Orchestra
February 11, 2012 8:00PM
Marlon Daniel, conductor
Darnell Ishmel, baritone
Alison Buchanan, soprano

BERNSTEIN Overture to Candide

STILL Afro-American Symphony RUSSIAN PREMIERE

I. Moderato assai (Longing)

II. Adagio (Sorrow)
III. Animato (Humor)
IV. Lento, con risoluzione (Aspiration)

INTERMISSION

GERSHWIN Porgy and Bess - Concert Suite

LINK:

http://tatarstan-symphony.com/rus/afisha/82-q-q-.html

[WilliamGrant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a comprehensive Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com]