Album Release! W. G. Still: Songs & Piano Music
Announcing the release of William Grant Still: Songs & Piano Music
William Grant Still (1895-1978) from Little Rock was a pioneer in many respects. He was the first African-American to successfully leave the generally conceded regions of jazz and pop, to experience the performance of a symphonic work and an opera, to conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic and to lead a major southern orchestra. The respect he has earned is reflected in two Guggenheim fellowships and five honorary doctorates, as well as the growing number of first-class recordings his works have received
This album is dedicated to the composer's impressive song oeuvre: two dozen creations ranging from simple spirituals to expansive, declamatory, captivating scenes, from touching miniatures to provocative declarations of war provide a portrait of a self-confident man who got his musical way.
CD Contents
Rising Tide; Songs of Separation (Idolatry; Poeme; Parted; If you should go; 5. A Black Pierrot); Arkansas; All that I am; Here's one; Sinner, please don't let this Harvest pass; From the Hearts of Women (Little Mother; Midtide; Corquette;
Bereft); Mississipi; Citadel; Grief "Weeping Angel"; My Brother American; Up there; Bayou Home; Song for the Valiant; Song for the Lonely; The Breath of a Rose; Plain-Chant for America;
+Klavierwerke "A Piano Collection": Prelude; Dance of the Porteuses; Swanee River
