NYDailyNews.com: William Grant Still's 'Second Symphony is a lush, romantic piece'

[William Grant Still (1895-1978)] ]

NYDailyNews.com

Howard Kissell

The Cultural Tourist

William Grant still

March 22, 2009

“This afternoon Leon Botstein led the American Symphony Orchestra in several pieces by William Grant Still (1895-1978), whose name is often followed by the phrase 'the Dean of African-American composers.' As is often the case words are a much easier way to honor a man than performing his music -- he appears in concert halls and on disc far less than he should. In his program notes Botstein mentions that one of Still's champions was Leopold Stokowski, who was in fact the founder of the American Symphony and who corresponded with Still about a piece that might be played at its debut in 1963.

“In the concert at Avery Fisher Hall Botstein did a wonderful job of 'framing' Still, of putting him in context. The program began with a 'Rip van Winkle Overture' by George Whitefield Chadwick, a 19th century American composer, a pleasant enough composition. He followed it with Still's 'Darker America,' which made Chadwick really sound like 'white bread.' In some ways 'Darker America' was the most interesting piece on the program -- it had an arresting, somber quality, using the brass and winds to particularly mournful effect. Written in 1924, it seemed inescapably an attempt to convey the African-American experience, which it did -- powerfully."

“The first half concluded with an evocative three-movement Still work called 'Africa.' It was composed in 1928, when American symphonic music, by white and black composers, was still searching for an American sound. Music from this period often has an impressionistic rather than a formal structure.” “Still followed his own muse. His Second Symphony, which closed the program, is a lush, romantic piece, which the ASO played beautifully.”

American Symphony Orchestra's Leon Botstein on William Grant Still on WNYC.org, March 16

[Symphony No. 2 (Song of a New Race), William Grant Still; Negro Folk Symphony, William Levi Dawson; Harlem, Duke Ellington; Detroit Symphony Orchestra; Neeme Järvi, Conductor; Chandos 9226 (1993)]

WNYC.org

The Leonard Lopate Show

Monday, March 16, 2009

Key Change(s)

“On today’s show: Richard Dowden talks about the challenges facing development in modern day Africa. We’ll also hear the story of how the only World War Two women’s orchestra avoided the gas chambers at Birkenau. Then, the American Symphony Orchestra’s Leon Botstein on the often overlooked composer William Grant Still.” “The pioneering African-American composer William Grant Still (1895-1978) ranks among the greatest composers born and educated in the United States, rivaled only by Leonard Bernstein in the variety of his output. American Symphony Orchestra Music Director Leonard Botstein joins us to discuss this under-appreciated genius and the upcoming concert “Revisiting William Grant Still” at Lincoln Center. 

Event - REVISITING WILLIAM GRANT STILL; Leon Botstein conducts the American Symphony Orchestra At Avery Fisher Hall, 132 W 65th St, Sunday, March 22nd at 3 pm

"AmericanSymphony.org

Revisiting William Grant Still

George Whitefield Chadwick - Rip Van Winkle (1879)

William Grant Still - Darker America (1924)

Edgard Varèse - Offrandes (1921) ( Jennifer Rivera, Mezzo-Soprano)

William Grant Still – Africa (1928)

William Grant Still – Symphony No. 2 (1937)

Operas, symphonies, concerti, chamber music, art songs, film scores, popular music— William Grant Still embraced all of America's music, and ranks among the greatest American composers. Rivaled only by Leonard Bernstein in the variety of his output, Still trained and worked with the best of the best in creating the sound of the 'American Experience.' Hear three of Still's momentous and varied works in a single program—Darker America, Symphony No. 2, and Africa. Featuring Jennifer Rivera, Mezzo-Soprano. Enjoy a pre-concert discussion 75 minutes prior to performance in Avery Fisher Hall."