Monday, February 29, 2016

Minnesota Public Radio: Learning to Listen: William Grant Still, by Andrea Blain & Alison Young, St. Paul, Minnesota, February 29, 2016 (59:35)


William Grant Still
(Photo is the sole property of William Grant Still Music, and is used with permission.)


Studio portrait of composer and conductor William Grant Still (1895 - 1978), the first African-American conductor of a major orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, 1936. 




LISTEN Story Audio
59min 35sec

Andrea Blain

The month of February is Black History Month, and we've been marking that in various ways with our classical music programming. This week on Learning to Listen, we are looking at the life and music of one of the most important African-American composers of classical music, William Grant Still.

Often referred to as "the Dean of African-American Composers," William Grant Still wrote symphonies, opera, chamber music, film scores and ballet. On this week's show, we'll be listening to examples of his works.

Program Playlist

William Grant Still
'The Country Dance' from Miss Sally's Party
Orchestra of the Plymouth Music Series
Philip Brunelle, conductor



William Grant Still
Folk Suite No. 4 (1962)
Sierra Winds



William Grant Still
3rd movement from Symphony No 1: Animato



William Grant Still
Lyric Quartet



William Grant Still
from Highway One, Scene 2
St Olaf Orchestra
Philip Brunelle, conductor
Louise Toppin as Mary; Robert Honeysucker as Bob



William Grant Still
Symphony No. 2 "Song of a New Race"



William Grant Still
La Guiablesse
Berliner Symphoniker
Isaiah Jackson, conductor



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