'William Grant Still (1895-1978) represents a captivating blend of African-American, Latin American and European music.'

[ABOVE: William Grant Still (Photo is the sole property of William Grant Still Music, and is used with permission. BELOW: Reverse side of CD cover, Allégresse: Fresh Ink; Copyright 2010 Allégresse]

William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma is found. William Grant Still Music and The Master-Player Library is “The original source for the music of American composer William Grant Still.” The firm's website is: http://www.WilliamGrantStill.com

On February 15, 2011 AfriClassical posted: “'Miniatures' of William Grant Still Recorded by Trio Allégresse on CD 'Fresh Ink.'” We noted that “Allégresse Trio is comprised of Ellen Bottorff, piano; Annie Gnojek, flute; and Margaret Marco, oboe. Now that we have a copy of the CD, we will present excerpts from the liner notes:

“Allégresse, the French word for 'joy', aptly depicts the graceful artistry of this inspiring trio. Friends and collaborators for nearly a decade, Annie, Margaret, and Ellen formed this exciting ensemble to explore the rich and varied repertoire for flute, oboe, and piano.” The website of the Trio is: http://www.allegresse.org/music. The CD is available at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/allegresse2.

“Miniatures seemed the obvious addition to a program of American chamber music masterpieces for flute, oboe and piano. Each of the work's five movements pays homage to folk music of the Americas. I Ride An Old Paint is a cowboy song from the U.S. and tells of a cowboy's love for his horse. Adolorido, a well-known tune from Mexico, depicts the tale of betrayal and sadness. A spiritual from the U.S., Jesus Is A Rock In The Weary Land highlights the bluesy piano. Yaravi is a poignant lament from Peru and A Frog Went A-Courtin' is a 400-year old favorite fom the U.S.

“The music of William Grant Still (1895-1978) represents a captivating blend of African-American, Latin American and European music. The composer's eclectic training included studies with W.C. Handy, Edgar Varese and George Chadwick. At the age of 14, he taught himself to play the oboe among other instruments. He went on to play oboe professionally including stints with the National Guard Band and in a New York pit band. Still's long and productive career included several significant firsts, including being the first African-American composer to have his works performed by major symphony orchestras. He was awarded honorary doctorates from Harvard, Oberlin and Bates College and a Guggenheim fellowship.”

Comment by email:
Hello Bill! Thanks so much for the post! We really appreciate it. Take care, Annie

'Miniatures' of William Grant Still Recorded by Trio Allégresse on CD 'Fresh Ink'

[ABOVE: William Grant Still (Photo is the sole property of William Grant Still Music, and is used with permission. BELOW: Fresh Ink; Allégresse (2011)]

William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma. On March 18, 2008 AfriClassical posted: “Allégresse Trio Plays Music of William Grant Still, African American Composer.” Allégresse Trio is comprised of Ellen Bottorff, piano; Annie Gnojek, flute; and Margaret Marco, oboe. In the prior post, we quoted Chamber Music Today: “Piano-flute-oboe (PFO) trios are a distinctive orchestration for chamber music. The texture is relatively thin, which lends extra transparency and vulnerability to the sonic palette.”

Trio Allégresse tells us of a second CD with music of William Grant Still, Fresh Ink:

“Hello Mr. Zick,

I'm writing because we first came across your website through a post that you had done about our trio, Allégresse, in reference to our performances of music by William Grant Still

(http://africlassical.blogspot.com/2008/03/allgresse-trio-plays-music-of-william.html).

Thank you so much for featuring us on your very comprehensive website! I thought you might be interested to know that we just released our second CD "Fresh Ink" that features the suite "Miniatures", by William Grant Still. You can read more about the album on our website:

http://www.allegresse.org/music. There are also more sound clips here:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/allegresse2.

Thanks so much for your support of music!

Best wishes,

Allégresse

Quintet of the Americas in William Grant Still's 'Folk Suite No. 4' and 2 of his 'Miniatures' on Staten Island Sept. 19

[Africa: Piano Music of William Grant Still; Denver Oldham, piano; Koch 3 7084 2H1 (1991)]

Three works of William Grant Still are among the dance pieces for winds to be performed by the Quintet of the Americas at Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church at 3:30 PM Sunday, September 19, 2010:

MusicAtSaintAlbans.org

“Music at Saint Alban’s presents

Quintet of the Americas

Aires Tropicales - dance music from around the world

at Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church

on Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 3:30 PM

“This upbeat concert, in celebration of Latin American History Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15), will feature lively and vibrant arrangements, for winds, of dance music from The Americas, Europe and the Tropics, including tangos by Ástor Piazolla, Stuart Balcomb (first performance), Leonard Bernstein, Paquito D’Rivera, William Grant Still, also Judah Adashi’s new Songs and Dances of Macondo and Carl Maultsby’s Rockin in Jerusalem.

“Quintet of the Americas, consisting of flutist Sato Moughalian, oboist Matt Sullivan, clarinetist Nicholas Gallas, hornist Barbara Oldham and bassoonist Maureen Strenge, was formed in Bogota, Colombia in 1976 by U.S. citizens who were principal wind players in the Colombian National Orchestra. The group relocated to New York City in 1979 and has since enjoyed an international career that has taken them to concert halls throughout the Americas, the Caribbean and Asia, including annual performances at Manhattan’s Americas Society since 1982.

To learn more about the quintet, visit their website: http://www.quintet.org

People's World, http://peoplesworld.org/, adds detail to the description of works by William Grant Still: “William Grant Still's Folk Suite No 4 and Adolorido and Yaravi from Miniatures.” [William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma is found.]

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.]

William Grant Still's 'Miniatures' & 'Old Folks At Home' Online on Vermont Public Radio May 11

[Africa: Piano Music of William Grant Still; Denver Oldham, piano; Koch 3 7084 2H1 (1991)]

On May 7, 2010 AfriClassical posted: “Cheryl Willoughby Celebrates Birthday of William Grant Still on Vermont Public Radio May 11.” Cheryl Willoughby responded immediately with this gracious reply:

“Thanks for getting in touch and spreading the word on your blog! Yes, we'll hear 'Old Folks at Home' and the Miniatures on Tuesday morning in the 9am hour. I hope you can listen in online at vpr.net. Best, Cheryl”

William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma is found. Here are the entries on the works played on Vermont Public Radio May 11:

“Miniatures, for flute, oboe & piano (1948). London: Oxford University Press, 1963. 19p. & parts. 1. I ride old paint (USA); 2. Adolorido (Mexico); 3. Jesus is rock in the weary land (USA); 4. Yaravi (Peru); 5. A frog went a-courtin' (USA). Dedication: Sir John and Lady Barbirolli. 'This suite is based on folk songs of the Americas, and is a souvenir of the visit to America of Sir John and Lady Barbiolli, and of the many friends made by them during their stay.' Duration: 12:14. Library: Library of Congress (64-33197/M; holograph, 48-22855).” [CD: Sierra Winds, Cambria CD 1083 (1995, Get on board!).]

“Swanee River; Old folks at home, for piano (1939). New York: Robbins, 1939. (29 modern piano interpretations of Swanee River). Duration: 2:56.” “CD: VocalEssence Ensemble Singers; Philip Brunelle, conductor. Clarion CL 8905 CD (2004, Witness, Skyward my people rose, Music of William Grant Still). Liner notes: Dominique-René de Lerma.”