Book Overview
Once called the dean of African American composers, William Grant Still created a unique version of musical modernism that influenced commercial music, symphonic music, and opera. The acclaimed and enormously popular Afro-American Symphony, like many of his works, drew on Black American musical heritage, and Still was the first Black composer to have his work performed by a major symphony orchestra.
Catherine Parsons Smith's biography tracks the composer's interrelated careers in popular and concert music. Still's artistic journey took him from conservatory study with George W. Chadwick to collaborating with Langston Hughes, working as a commercial arranger and composer on Broadway and radio, arranging for artists like Sophie Tucker and Artie Shaw, and serving as the recording director for the first Black-owned record label. But despite his prolific production and multidimensional talents, Still endured financial struggles and declining attention to his work.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0252033221
ISBN13:9780252033223
Release Date:July 2008
Publisher:University of Illinois Press
Length:136 Pages
Weight:0.75 lbs.
Dimensions:0.6" x 6.0" x 8.5"
Customer Reviews
1 rating
research resource
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
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