William Grant Still Symphonies 2 & 3, and 'Wood Notes,' on WHPK-FM Dec. 19, 1:30-3:00 PM

[TOP: William Grant Still Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3, 'Wood Notes' on Naxos 8.559676   BOTTOM: William Grant Still (Photo is the sole property of William Grant Still Music, and is used with permission]

Sergio Mims announces a special Monday edition of his classical music program on WHPK-FM in Chicago:

“I'm sure you and your many readers would be interested that I will be playing that new Naxos recording of William Grant Still's Symphonies Nos. 2 and 3 along with his orchestral work Wood Notes on a special edition of my show on Monday Dec. 19 1:30-3PM Central Times on WHPK-FM in Chicago (88.5 locally and www.whpk.org online livestream). [William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a comprehensive Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com]

Tweet from @Numinousmusic (Joe Phillips):

@AfriClassical with a great balance between his bluesy Americanism & Ravel-like impressionism Sym No. 2 is a work that should be heard more

Violist Eliesha Nelson & Pianist Glen Inanga Planning CD of 'Russian Romantic repertoire' this Fall

[ABOVE: Pianists Glen Inanga and Jennifer Micallef of the Micallef-Inanga Duo BELOW: Quincy Porter, Complete Viola Works; Eliesha Nelson, viola; John McLaughlin Williams, violin, piano, harpsichord; Douglas Rioth, harp; Northwest Sinfonia, John McLaughlin Williams, conductor; Dorian Recordings DSL 90911 (73:47) (2009)]

On Feb. 24, 2011 AfriClassical posted: “Plain Dealer: 'With bow in one hand, pacifier in another, Cleveland Orchestra violist stands out as both artist, mother.'” The article, by Zachary Lewis, revealed this information about a future recording now in the works:

“Now she's putting the finishing touches on a second disc due out in the fall, an album of Russian viola sonatas with pianist Glen Inanga.” AfriClassical has interviewed the Nigerian pianist Glen Inanga, so we forwarded the blog post to him and said we were eager to hear the CD he and Eliesha Nelson are making, because the two are both virtuoso performers.

Glen replied with a bit more information on the project: “Thanks. I am eager to hear the finished product too as this is indeed some great Russian Romantic repertoire.” Glen Inanga is Nigerian and Jennifer Micallef is from Malta. They have made two recordings together as the Micallef-Inanga Duo.

Pianist Lara Downes Using Kickstarter.com to fund recording project, '13 Ways of Looking at the Goldberg'

[Lara Downes]

Pianist Lara Downes has thanked AfriClassical for the prior post and has told us of her next recording project:

“I really appreciate the support. I'd also love for you to know about my current campaign on Kickstarter to raise funding for my next recording project: 13 Ways of Looking at the Goldberg. 13 Ways is a set of new variations on Bach's Goldberg Variations, by a group of today's most renowned composers, including 2010 Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Higdon. These wonderful pieces reimagine the Goldbergs in a variety of ways, celebrating both the eternal beauty of Bach's music, and the musical evolutions of the past 250 years. The variations are performed alongside Bach's original theme, like this:

Bach: Aria, from Goldberg Variations

C. Curtis-Smith: Rube Goldberg Variation

Jennifer Higdon: The Gilmore Variation

Mischa Sarche Zupko: Ghost Variation

Stanley Walden: Fantasy Variation

Bright Sheng: Variation Fugato

Derek Bermel: Kontraphunktus

Bach: Variation 13, from Goldberg Variations

David Del Tredici: My Goldberg (Gymnopedie #1)

Fred Lerdahl: Chasing Goldberg

William Bolcom: Yet Another Goldberg Variation (for left hand alone)

Lukas Foss: Goldmore Variation

Ralf Gothóni: Variation on Variation with Variation

Fred Hersch: Melancholy Minuet

Bach: Aria (reprise), from Goldberg Variations

This is a world-premiere recording (I have the rights for the first recording from Edition Peters), which I plan to release on the Innova label in the fall of 2011. I'm raising the funding through Kickstarter to support the recording and production of the CD. Kickstarter is a nice way for independent artists to fund creative projects, by asking friends, fans, sponsors and music lovers to pledge contributions. It's an all-or-nothing campaign: if I reach my goal of $5000 the project gets funded. If I don't meet my goal, my backers' pledges do not get charged, and I receive no money at all. At this point I've raised about $1750, over 1/3 of my goal, but I only have 11 days left!

I'm asking all of my friends and supporters to help me get the word out about this campaign in order to reach as many interested backers as possible. Anything you can do to share this information with your Africlassical followers and all your associates in the music community would be immensely helpful!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1682665989/13-ways-of-looking-at-the-goldberg-bach-reimagined

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Helix Collective: 'We feel the freedom in Still's markings [is] more extensively explored on our recording.'

[ABOVE: William Grant Still (Photo is the sole property of William Grant Still Music, and is used with permission.) BELOW: All In; Helix Collective; Miniatures For Flute, Oboe and Piano; Blue Griffin Recording BGR 133 (2009).]

The Helix Collective consists of Sarah Robinson, flute; Phil Popham, oboe; and Meghan Schaut, piano. All In, Blue Griffin Recording BGR 133 (2009) is the trio's debut album, on which Tracks 5-9 are devoted to the Five Miniatures of William Grant Still (1895-1978). Yesterday we quoted the liner notes:

“Our thoughts on the Miniatures...

Still wrote the Five Miniatures for Sir John and Evelyn Barbirolli in celebration of their North American tour. Although Still has many compositions in the contemporary style, by this time in his career he had incorporated more folk concepts into classical forms. The bareness of markings on his score gives great freedom to the performers to find a personal rendition, much like a folksong. However, one of the most exciting aspects of these movements is their varied countries of origin. Just like the touring Barbirollis, the trio must quickly travel from the folk characteristics of one country to the next, capturing the unique quality of each into a musical snapshot.”

Today AfriClassical heard from The Helix Collective:

“Hello Bill!

We hope you enjoy our CD! In the liner notes, We especially hope you enjoy the section, "Our thoughts on the Miniatures."

“We feel the freedom in Still's markings [is] more extensively explored on our recording. We have since changed our Adolorido to be more staccato in the piano (like a guitar) and more passionately legato in the flute/oboe (vocal) parts like the original song - with very positive feedback. We also love the individual characters Still created. As we mention, it's like traveling to all of the countries, even if just for a brief visit.

“The Still serves a great purpose in our program. Without the Miniatures, we would be without the poignant, beautiful, simplicity and directness which he provides so artfully. Happy Birthday to a great composer, and thank you for your interest!

Best,

Helix Collective"

http://helixcollective.net/ [William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma of Lawrence University Conservatory is found.]