Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Detroit Metro Times: 'Classical Roots Lecture & DSO Open Rehearsal' March 5, 6 P.M.


[Afro-American Symphony; William Grant Still; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Karl Kruger, conductor; Bridge 9086 (1999)]

Detroit Metro Times
Music >> Classical
Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m.
Critic's Pick
CLASSIC CONTRIBUTORS
by Megan O'Neil
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra's annual Classical Roots series pays tribute to the contribution of African-Americans to classical music. This year's performances honor the composer William Grant Still, who wrote more than 150 pieces and was the first African-American to conduct and have one of his works performed by a major symphony orchestra. Thursday, Still's granddaughter Judith Anne Still will give a free lecture on his life and work, after which guests are invited to attend the DSO rehearsal. Saturday features the ninth annual Classical Roots celebration, a black-tie affair which includes a cocktail reception, dinner, performance and afterglow, with $275-$500 tickets raising funds for DSO educational programs. At the Max M. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-576-5111; detroitsymphony.com. [William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma is also found]






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