Vermont Public Radio Plays 'Afro-American Symphony' on May 11, Birthday of William Grant Still

[TOP: William Grant Still Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3, 'Wood Notes' on Naxos 8.559676 CENTER: My Life, My Words: The Autobiography of William Grant Still, American Master Composer; With additional material by Judith Anne Still; The Master-Player Library, Flagstaff, Arizona (2011) BOTTOM: Africa: Piano Music of William Grant Still; Denver Oldham, piano; Koch 3 7084 2H1 (1991)]

William Grant Still's works are relevant to our time, as they were to his own era. Recent recordings such as the Naxos release of his Symphonies 2 and 3, along with Wood Notes, have expanded public knowledge of Still's large body of works, and have further demonstrated the endurance of his contributions to the world of classical music.

Vermont Public Radio's Classical Music With Walter Parker is among the programs honoring William Grant Still (1895-1978) on May 11, the date of his birth. Walter Parker's program includes William Grant Still's Symphony No. 1, (Afro-American Symphony), which remains the best-known work of the composer.

My Life, My Words: The Autobiography of William Grant Still, American Master Composer; With additional material by Judith Anne Still; was published by The Master-Player Library of Flagstaff, Arizona in 2011. Last year also saw the release of Naxos 8.559676, with Symphonies Nos. 2, (Song of a New Race) and 3, (The Sunday Symphony) along with Wood Notes. The Fort Smith Symphony of Fort Smith, Arkansas was conducted by John Jeter.

William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a comprehensive Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com. The composer's recordings, sheet music and books are available from William Grant Still Music, operated by his daughter Judith Anne Still, at http://www.WilliamGrantStill.com.