Pianist Greg Kostraba Makes William Grant Still's Kaintuck' & Summerland A “Musical Treat”

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

May 21, 2008

Change in LSO's final concert leads to special musical treat
By DICK JAEGER
Special to The Journal & Courier, Lafayette and West Lafayette, Indiana

The cancellation of the appearance of the Purdue Glee Club as the guest artists for the final concert of the Lafayette Symphony's season resulted in a significant change in the program. Since the concert was dedicated to the observance of Armed Forces Day, much of the original programming included music that filled that bill.

However, one of Lafayette's former residents agreed to fill the gap and the result was a musical treat for the audience and the orchestra alike. Former radio broadcaster for WBAA-Purdue, Greg Kostraba, came back to town and once again appeared with the LSO as he had on other occasions. With the cooperation of the orchestra and Maestro Nicholas Palmer, he brought along music by the American composer William Grant Still and the ever-pleasing "Rhapsody in Blue" of George Gershwin.

Kostraba is a pianist of fine reputation having participated in several major piano competitions over the years. He also can claim the honor of helping to found the Tippecanoe Chamber Music Society which has been pleasing audiences for the past decade.

The music of composer Still fills a large catalog of compositions ranging from serious music to at least one movie score. All of it has a definite feeling of jazz, African-American blues, and a touch here and there of gospel. He composed in all musical media including orchestra, band, choral, solo instruments and vocal music. The orchestra beautifully supported Kostraba in "Kaintuck" a tone poem reminiscent of W. C. Handy of "St. Louis Blues" fame and for whom Still made various orchestrations. Kostraba caught the mood of the piece. The flashy and demanding work proved a delight to the audience rewarding him and the orchestra with prolonged applause.

Other selections by this composer proved to be equally exciting causing one to wonder why orchestras do not choose to play more of this Ellington-era composer. A solo piano encore "Summerland" also by Still quietly closed the evening's program. Full Post

Pianist Greg Kostraba
Lafayette Symphony Orchestra
William Grant Still
African American Composer
Still's Kaintuck' and Summerland
Why is More Still Not Played?