Sunday, January 13, 2013

BBC Concert Orchestra: 'Afro-American Symphony' of William Grant Still & 'Harlem Suite' of Duke Ellington, 24 March, 7:30pm, Southbank Centre

The Definitive Duke Ellington
Sony 61444 (2000)


Africa: Piano Music of William Grant Still 
Denver Oldham, piano 
Koch International Classics 3-7084-2H1

Duke Ellington (1899-1974) and William Grant Still (1895-1978) are profiled at AfriClassical.comwhich features a comprehensive Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com



William Grant Still: Symphony No.1 (Afro-American)

Nu Civilisation Orchestra: Various
Duke Ellington: A tone parallel to Harlem (Harlem Suite)


Hear William Grant Still's 'Afro-American' Symphony, the first symphony by a black American composer to be performed by a major orchestra - the Rochester Philharmonic in 1931.

It's infused with blues melodies and harmonies mixed with classical sounds, with a nod to Dvorak's New World Symphony.

Duke Ellington takes you on a tour of Harlem. Visit the sights and sounds, people and places that make the neighbourhood where he grew up. Go from 110th Street to Seventh Avenue, heading north through the Spanish and West Indian quarters, ending on 125th Street.

Nu Civilisation Orchestra plays its own tribute to the Duke of Jazz.


Performers

BBC Concert Orchestra

Nu Civilisation Orchestra
Keith Lockhart conductor



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