William Grant Still: Africa, Symphonic Poem (1930)

Fort Smith Symphony conducted by / Sinfónica de Fort Smith dirigida por John Jeter.
I. Land of Peace / Tierra de Paz (0:00)
II. Land of / Tierra de Romance (12:27)
III. Land of Superstition / Tierra de Superstición (19:26)
William Grant Still (1895-1978) was one of the first Afro-American composers. Considered by his successors as his dean, he was certainly a musician who brought vernacular languages such as spirituals, jazz and blues into his art compositions. Among his first important works we find the symphonic poem Africa, which integrates these languages consistently into a triptych scheme; this piece was to be the first part of a trilogy representing the origin of Afro-Americans. The work went under substantial revisions - among them full orchestration - yet remained unpublished. This has been its first recording.
William Grant Still (1895-1978) fue uno de los primeros compositores afroamericanos. Considerado por sus sucesores como su decano, fue ciertamente un músico que acercó los lenguajes vernáculos del espiritual, del jazz y del blues a sus composiciones. Entre sus primeras obras importantes hallamos el poema sinfónico África, el cual integraba estos lenguajes de forma consistente en un tríptico musical; la pieza sería la primera parte de una trilogía que representaría el origen de los afroamericanos. La obra recibió constantes revisiones - entre ellas una orquestación total - pero permaneció sin publicar. Esta ha sido su primera grabación.
Image/imagen: African Village. Thomas J. Wani. n.d.

[@jessicawalker2877]

my music project brought me here this is amazing

[@harryandruschak2843]

First recording, and first time I have heard this work. Thank you.

[@kerrichristopher740]

Great, under appreciated composer. Thanks for the fascinating upload.

[@WilliamKroupaJr.]

Liked and subscribed. Just Beautiful!

[@davidcottrell1308]

beautiful!!!

[@stevenmallen]

Thanks for posting this phenomenal work!

[@kuang-licheng402]

good music, good introduction

[@Themancebo1]

The Spiritual as invisible umbilicus... connecting each successive permutation since Olduvai Gorge and the first skinny dip trial in the Nile.

[@iakusz]

Oh men... Tierra de Superstición!

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