William Grant Still's “Danzas de Panama” Performed by Alexa Still and the Berlin Symphoniker

[William Grant Still: La Guiablesse, Danzas de Panama, Quit Dat Fool'nish, Summerland; Alexa Still, flute; Berliner Symphoniker; Isaiah Jackson, conductor; Koch 3 7154 2H1 (1993)]

AfriClassical previously posted this news from Detroit's Chamber Music at the Scarab Club for Sunday, June 1, 2008: “Our 10th season comes to an exciting close with Danzas de Panama for string quartet by William Grant Still, Quintet No. 1 in D Major for flute and strings by Friedrich Kuhlau, and Theme and Variations for flute and string quartet by Amy Beach. Musicians include: Laura Larson - flute, Velda Kelly and Andrew Wu - violins, John Madison and Scott Stefanko - violas, Nadine Deleury – cello. For more info visit http://www.ScarabClub.org/chambermusic

Today we take a look at a unique CD by the African American Conductor Isaiah Jackson and the Berliner Symphoniker. Two of Still's major dance works are found on Koch 3 7154 2H1 (1993). The first is La Guiablesse (18:35), consisting of nine brief dances. The second major composition is Danzas de Panama (14:00). The four dances are titled: Tamborito, Mejorana, Punto and Cumbia. The liner notes are by Dana Paul Perna: “As its title implies, Danzas de Panama derives its melodies from Panamanian dance themes collected by Elisabeth Waldo. Still took these dance themes and cast them for string quartet, quintet or, as heard on this recording, for string orchestra. He made every effort to approximate the sounds of native instruments thereby giving this piece an arresting character.”

Danzas de Panama
William Grant Still
Chamber Music at the Scarab Club
June 1 2008
African American Chamber Music
Chamber Music of Black Composer