Though he was the leading African-American composer of classical music in the first part of the 20th Century, with five symphonies and eight operas amongst his output, the work of William Grant Still isn’t performed as often as it should be. Still came out of the Harlem Renaissance, but his work has taken a back seat to the likes of Scott Joplin and Duke Ellington. No doubt part of Black History Month, the Los Angeles Philharmonic has two evenings featuring Still’s work on Saturday and Sunday.
The first concert finds his Symphony Number 1 (“Afro-American”) on a program with Ellington’s Come Sunday from Black, Brown and Beige, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and Ellington’s Harlem. This first symphony had its premiere in 1931.
The second concert will feature his Symphony Number 4 (“Autochtonous”) sharing the program with Ellington’s Three Black Kings, Gershwin’s Second Rhapsody and the world premiere of Still Holding On by Adolphous Hailstock. Still’s 4th symphony dates to 1947. Hailstock’s piece is written in celebration of Still.
Much like Gershwin, Still incorporated blues and jazz elements into his compositions. In 1936, Still conducted two of his works with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. It marked the first time an African-American conductor lead a major orchestra in this country.
Leading the LA Philharmonic for these concerts is Thomas Wilkins. Aaron Diehl is the soloist for both of the Gershwin rhapsodies.
Photo of William Grant Still by Maud Cuney-Hare