William Grant Still: Symphonie Nr.1 (Afro-American)
Symphonie Nr.1 (Afro-American)
CD
CD (Compact Disc)
Herkömmliche CD, die mit allen CD-Playern und Computerlaufwerken, aber auch mit den meisten SACD- oder Multiplayern abspielbar ist.
- +Afria; In Memoriam
- Künstler: Fort Smith SO, John Jeter
- Label: Naxos, DDD, 2004
- Bestellnummer: 7563491
- Erscheinungstermin: 7.2.2005
- Serie: Naxos American Classics
Von seinen fast 150 Werken war es die 'afro-amerikanische' Symphonie, die Still weltweit bekannt machte. Sie wurde erstmals 1931 von dem unermüdlichen Verfechter seiner Komponistenkollegen, Howard Hanson, mit der Sinfonie von Rochester (NY) aufgeführt. Es etablierte sich rasch im Repertoire, darunter die Aufführung des New York Philharmonic in der Carnegie Hall und Aufführungen durch 34 andere amerikanische Orchester allein in den 1930er Jahren. Dennoch beschrieb er seine Ziele, die er mit dem Werk verfolgte, kurz und bündig: "Ich wusste, dass ich eine Symphonie schreiben wollte; ich wusste, dass es ein amerikanisches Werk sein musste; und ich wollte zeigen, wie der Blues, der so oft als niederer Ausdruck angesehen wird, auf das höchste musikalische Niveau gehoben werden konnte". Nach der Fertigstellung des Werkes fügte Still einen Vers von Paul Lawrence Dunbar hinzu, um die Stimmung der einzelnen Sätze zu beleuchten. Als tief religiöser Mann schrieb er das Werk (wie jedes seiner Werke) Gott, "der Quelle aller Inspiration", ein.
Of his nearly 150 works it was the ‘Afro-American’ Symphony that established Still’s reputation worldwide. It was first given in 1931 by that indefatigable champion of his fellow composers, Howard Hanson, with the Rochester (NY) Symphony. It rapidly established itself in the repertoire, including the New York Philharmonic performance at Carnegie Hall and performances by 34 other American orchestras in the 1930s alone. Still succinctly described his goals in writing the work: ‘I knew I wanted to write a symphony; I knew that it had to be an American work; and I wanted to demonstrate how the blues, so often considered a lowly expression, could be elevated to the highest musical level.’ After the work’s completion, Still appended verse by Paul Lawrence Dunbar to illuminate the mood of each movement. A deeply religious man, he inscribed the work (as he did each of his works) to God, ‘the source of all inspiration’.
Product Information
Of his nearly 150 works it was the ‘Afro-American’ Symphony that established Still’s reputation worldwide. It was first given in 1931 by that indefatigable champion of his fellow composers, Howard Hanson, with the Rochester (NY) Symphony. It rapidly established itself in the repertoire, including the New York Philharmonic performance at Carnegie Hall and performances by 34 other American orchestras in the 1930s alone. Still succinctly described his goals in writing the work: ‘I knew I wanted to write a symphony; I knew that it had to be an American work; and I wanted to demonstrate how the blues, so often considered a lowly expression, could be elevated to the highest musical level.’ After the work’s completion, Still appended verse by Paul Lawrence Dunbar to illuminate the mood of each movement. A deeply religious man, he inscribed the work (as he did each of his works) to God, ‘the source of all inspiration’.
- Tracklisting
- Mitwirkende
Disk 1 von 1 (CD)
- 1 In memoriam, "The Colored Soldiers who Died for Democracy": In Memoriam: The Colored Soldiers Who Died for Democracy
- 2 Africa: Land of Peace
- 3 Africa: Land of Romance
- 4 Africa: Land of Superstition
- 5 Symphony No. 1, "Afro-American": I. Longing (Moderato assai)
- 6 Symphony No. 1, "Afro-American": II. Sorrow (Adagio)
- 7 Symphony No. 1, "afro-American": Iii. Humor (Animato)
- 8 Symphony No. 1, "Afro-American": IV. Aspiration (Lento, con risoluzione)
