William Grant Still (1895-1978)
(Maud Cuney-Hare, Public Domain)
November 5, 2020
By WPR Music Staff
This year marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of American composer William Grant Still,
and WPR will be featuring a wide range of his works during our music
programs the week of Nov. 9, including our weekday classical shows
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Still was born in Woodville, Mississippi in 1895, briefly worked on a
medical degree, then went to the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He also
joined W.C. Handy’s pioneering jazz band in 1916 and later went to
Harlem to continue working with him after serving in World War I.
Still’s interests were wide and included lessons from the modernist
French composer Edgar Varese. These influences can be heard in Still’s
music, but don’t overshadow his distinct and unique voice.
Upcoming selections on WPR include:
Monday, 11/9: Symphony No. 1 "Afro-American"; Folk Suite No. 4
Tuesday, 11/10: Miniatures; Symphony No. 2 "Song of a New Race"
Wednesday, 11/11: Festive Overture; Suite for Violin and Piano
Thursday, 11/12: Lyric Quartet; Symphonic Poem "Africa"
Friday, 11/13: Summerland; Symphony No. 5 "Western Hemisphere"
Saturday, 11/14: Symphony No. 1 "Afro-American"
Sunday, 11/15: Symphonic Poem "Africa"
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