A Birthday: William Grant Still
Evening Music | May 6, 2010
William Grant Still (b. 5/11/95) said he wanted his first symphony to “show how the blues, so often considered a lowly expression, could be elevated to the highest musical level.”
Still’s “Afro-American Symphony” was the first symphony by a black composer to be performed by a major American orchestra—the Rochester Philharmonic under Howard Hanson in 1931. This evening, we hear Neeme Jarvi lead the Detroit Symphony through the four movements that are subtitled “Longings,” “Sorrows,” “Humor,” and “Aspirations.”
Jean-Philippe Rameau liked to name many of his works after acquaintances. The chamber work with obbligato harpsichord “La Forqueray” is named for one of his musical friends, and is presented for our delectation by Elaine Comparone and members of The Queen’s Chamber Band. Elaine and her group will perform at the Kaufman Center’s Merkin Hall on May 17th.
Irving Berlin, another American composer who was born this day (1888), was a legendary creator of “classics,” though not a classical composer. We celebrate him as we listen to an interpretation of eleven of his songs by Raoul Poliakin, who conducts the Poliakin Orchestra and Chorale.
Still’s “Afro-American Symphony” was the first symphony by a black composer to be performed by a major American orchestra—the Rochester Philharmonic under Howard Hanson in 1931. This evening, we hear Neeme Jarvi lead the Detroit Symphony through the four movements that are subtitled “Longings,” “Sorrows,” “Humor,” and “Aspirations.”
Jean-Philippe Rameau liked to name many of his works after acquaintances. The chamber work with obbligato harpsichord “La Forqueray” is named for one of his musical friends, and is presented for our delectation by Elaine Comparone and members of The Queen’s Chamber Band. Elaine and her group will perform at the Kaufman Center’s Merkin Hall on May 17th.
Irving Berlin, another American composer who was born this day (1888), was a legendary creator of “classics,” though not a classical composer. We celebrate him as we listen to an interpretation of eleven of his songs by Raoul Poliakin, who conducts the Poliakin Orchestra and Chorale.
