William Grant Still, often called the dean of African-American composers, was born in Mississippi in 1895 to a family of Negro, Indian, Spanish, Irish, and Scotch heritage.
Composition History
Still's 'Afro-American' Symphony was first performed in 1931 by Howard Hanson, a champion of fellow composers, with the Rochester (NY) Symphony.
Composer Biography
Still worked as an arranger for popular performers like W.C. Handy, composer of 'St Louis Blues', and Artie Shaw, for whom he orchestrated the hit 'Frenesi'.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Still aimed to demonstrate how the blues, often considered a lowly expression, could be elevated to the highest musical level in his 'Afro-American' Symphony.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Still's most distinctive works are nationalistic, incorporating African-American forms like blues, spirituals, and jazz, alongside other ethnic American musics.
Instruments
The third movement of the 'Afro-American' Symphony features the banjo, marking its first use in a symphony.
Composer Biography
Still was the first African-American to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra (the New York Philharmonic in 1935) and the first to conduct a major orchestra (the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1936).
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