One composer that has a fascinating story and history that isn’t too often commented on or written about is William Grant Still. He was a composer of operettas, orchestral works and other music that had a jazz feel mixed with other African American influences. He was greatly influenced by his stepfather who gave him musical records of African-American Spiritual Music. As a young boy, Still absolutely adored these records and they proved as focal points for his later compositional work including Symphony No. 1—The Afro-American Symphony, which is very stunning and beautiful. All of its movements feature melodies that would be more than typical of the African American spirituals that so dominated his childhood. Furthermore, more than a hint of jazz, perhaps from his days arranging with the Count Basie orchestra in the years after the First World War. I also hear hints of Gershwin, another fabulous contemporary.
Still’s use of trumpet, string and woodwind solos throughout the second movement combined with still more jazz harmonies with major and minor thirds, makes you step back into the late 20s and early 30s. What the music scene must have been like almost 100 years ago! This was written back when music was really music and there was still a value for composers of gorgeous melodies and harmonies.
Later works like his Symphony in G Minor (1937) and symphonic poems like Old California (1941) take us back to the foundations some of our most precious territories and states. It makes you feel like you’re in a time warp; the colors are so picturesque it’s like a beautiful relic from the past—a time gone by. Put a black and white Western film on to accompany the music and you’ve got a grand picture. The jazz harmonies are still at work here and many of the other pieces in his repertoire.
If you’re looking for some fantastic work that is eclectic and timeless and also rare, check out William Grant Still. Check out the mentioned pieces. They are sure to put you in another world.
