Tuesday, March 5, 2013

'Here's One' of William Grant Still by John McLaughlin Williams, Violin & Norma McLaughlin Nelson, Piano on YouTube (3:12)



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


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 Recordings, sheet music and books of William Grant Still are available at www.WilliamGrantStill.com, which is operated by the composer's daughter Judith Anne Still


John McLaughlin Williams writes:


Bill, 

Here's a recent performance of William Grant Still's terrific setting of the spiritual "Here's One". I'm assisted by pianist Norma McLaughlin Nelson (my mom).

William Grant Still: Here's One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO4CWQcSN2c

Best regards,
JMW

Published on Mar 3, 2013
John McLaughlin Williams, Violin
Norma Mclaughlin Nelson, Piano


Of all Negro Spirituals, "Here's One" can undoubtedly be counted among the most affecting of all. The lyrics are a simple expression of devotion to God:

Talk about a Child that do love Jesus;
Here's One, Here's One
Talk about a Child done been Converted;
Here's One, Here's One

William Grant Still originally created his setting of "Here's One" for solo voice, and later for chorus. The stellar American violinist and Still's great friend Louis Kaufmann (for whom Still wrote his celebrated Suite and the Pastorela) was so taken by Still's setting that he transcribed it for violin and piano. Kaufmann changed the key of Still's original, and little else. Here William Grant Still has created one of the most moving spiritual settings ever penned. Kaufmann's transcription stays true to its source, giving us a concentrated and intense three minutes of sustained religious ecstasy.

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