• Most Respected Classical Music Platform
  • #classicalForever
TOP

OUT NOW | William Grant Still’s Music for Violin and Orchestra

Released on Naxos, the album features violinist Zina Schiff, conductor Avlana Eisenberg, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra

 

Born in 1895, William Grant Still was a pioneer composer and is remembered as the “Dean of Afro-American Composers.” Still composed nearly 200 works including symphonies, ballets, operas, choral works, art songs, and chamber music. 

The new "American Classics" album includes world premiere orchestral versions of Still’s Summerland, Violin Suite, Pastorela, American Suite, Threnody, Serenade, Fanfare for the 99th Fighter Squadron, Can’t You Line ‘Em, and Quit Dat Fool’nish

Written between 1918 and 1965, these works were based on a range of topics such as folk ballads and idioms, life reflections, WWII, artworks, as well as dedications to friends and to composers such as Jean Sibelius

Still was the first African American to conduct a major American symphony orchestra, have a symphony performed by a leading orchestra, an opera performed by a major opera company, and have an opera performed on national television.

With the aim of his music to “serve a purpose larger than mere music,” Still maintained that: “If it will help in some way to bring about better interracial understanding in America and in other countries, then I will feel that the work is justified.”

The album release comes during Black Music Month, also known as African-American Music Appreciation Month. The United States formally started observing this celebration in 2000, according to Billboard.

“As a Black composer, my grandfather worked so hard to get his works recorded, but by the time he passed away very few of his works had been recorded by any orchestra,” said PBS and NPR broadcaster, and William Grant Still's granddaughter, Celeste Headlee of the album. “How fulfilling and wonderful it is to have an entire album of his pieces never recorded before, all beautifully and feelingly played.”

A video reflection by Headlee on her grandfather can be watched here.

To listen to and purchase the album, click here.

upcoming events

february 2025

14febAll Day22Jascha Heifetz International Violin Competition(All Day) Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall, Aušros Vartų g. 5 Vilnius, LithuaniaEvent Type :competitions Event TagsInternational Jascha Heifetz Competition for Violinists

march 2025

15marAll DayMusic Teachers National Association (MTNA) National Conference(All Day: saturday) Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 Marquette Ave. Event Type :conferences & tradeshows Event Tagschamber music,Chamber Music America,Conferences,Music Teachers National Association National Conference

18marAll DayJohansen International String Competition(All Day: tuesday) Calvary Baptist Church, 755 8th Street, NW, Washington, DCEvent Type :competitions

19marAll DayAmerican String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Conference(All Day: wednesday) HYATT REGENCY ATLANTA, 265 Peachtree St Event Type :conferences & tradeshows Event TagsAmerican String Teachers Association,American String Teachers Association National Conference,ASTA,conference

CONTACT US
x

Get ALL our latest conveniently by EMAIL

Our newsletter is trusted by over 100,000+ industry professionals around the world

We deliver news straight to your inbox and will never share your data.
You'll never miss a beat!

click left click right