[William Grant Still (Photo by Carl Van Vechten.)]
On Tuesday, May 11, 2010 Listeners to Vermont Public Radio will hear works of the multi-talented African American composer, arranger, conductor and oboist William Grant Still between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.:
Vermont Public Radio
Classical Music with Cheryl Willoughby
Tuesday, 05/11/10 8am
William Grant Still enjoyed many firsts, as an African-American composer: he was the first African-American to conduct a major American symphony orchestra, the first to have a symphony he wrote performed by a leading orchestra, and the first to have an opera performed on national television, and the first to have an opera performed by a major opera company. For all of these reasons, Still is often referred to as "the dean" of African-American composers. He was born on May 11, 1895 in Woodville, Mississippi as the son of two teachers. We'll honor his legacy today with a selection of pieces. [William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma is found.]
