Monday, May 14, 2012

Scarborough Symphony Orchestra Presents U.K. Premiere of William Grant Still's Symphony No. 2 in G Minor, 'Song of a New Race,' May 19, 7:30 PM




[Africa: Piano Music of William Grant Still; Denver Oldham, piano; Koch 3 7084 2H1 (1991)]



Scarborough Symphony Orchestra


Saturday 19th May, 2012 – 7.30pm



METHODIST CENTRAL HALL, QUEEN STREET, SCARBOROUGH

Shaun Matthew – tuba
Brigg Fair

DELIUS


Tuba Concerto in F minor

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Symphony No. 2 in
G minor 
'Song of
a New Race'


WILLIAM GRANT STILL


























Shaun Matthew, tuba
"Folk music is the musical basis of all cultures. For this concert we explore the folk idioms of two cultures.


"The first half of tonight's folk music-based programme concentrates on England, with Delius's Brigg Fair. Percy Grainger introduced this folk song to Delius in 1907, and from it he composed this 'Rhapsody' for orchestra.


"I am proud to be performing Vaughan Williams's landmark Tuba Concerto. The work is the first true concerto to be written for the tuba. The two outer movements contain moments of high virtuosity while the central movement, one of the composer's most ravishingly beautiful, exploits the horn-like sound made by the tuba in its high register.


"William Grant Still's Symphony No. 2, 'Song of a New Race' contains a wealth of negro spirituals, blues melodies and abundant rhythmic vitality. Still's music is regularly performed in USA and we welcome you to the UK première of this symphony."


Comment by email:

Hi Bill, Thanks for that. It is great to know that a little orchestra at the seaside resort of Scarborough in Yorkshire are taking this on board. Pity that I live 400 miles away and am not able to make it! They have put together a very complimentary programme, especially the Vaughan Williams Tuba concerto. Mike [Michael S. Wright]

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