r/orchestra • u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 • 5d ago
Discussion Afro-American Symphony - William Grant Still
I just performed this symphonic work in my local orchestra, and this piece has been a bucket list item for me. I am a percussionist and often times I get to enjoy the music with the slight pressure of being accurate. The thing I love most in this particular symphony is the blend of American blues and folk music. The timing is so loose, and I just find the pacing of the whole thing marvelous.
Have any of you played this before? What were your favorite moments. It is truly wonder to have an American composer leave their mark in music history. Something I hope to do with my own works one day.
5
u/Sound_Ocean_Depths 5d ago
I played the banjo part with my university’s orchestra during my masters program!
2
u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 4d ago
We couldn't get an actual banjo player but i am sure it would have been even better! Are you an instrumentalist? What do you play?
1
u/Sound_Ocean_Depths 4d ago
I’m a composer mainly, but I also studied percussion performance in my undergraduate years. I’ve really only dabbled with banjo, but the part isn’t extensive so I got it down fine.
It’s actually a tenor banjo part so I had to take a string off my standard banjo and adjust the tuning a bit, but it worked out well in the end.
3
u/codeinecrim 5d ago
Cool piece. I’ve played only movements of it but not all. would like to do that
Price Symphony 3 is my favorite of the black american composers from that area. (fellow percussionist, check out the xylophone solo in it!)
Check out Julius Eastmans music if you want more music form Black american composers!
1
u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 4d ago
I played several of Julius Eastman's works in college for my new music ensemble! Fantastic composer!
The full symphony was incredible! I had the snare and woodblock part. It was a great piece to just really dive into and take in. I will take a look at that xylo solo! I always I appreciate a wicked run lol
2
2
u/HobbyMcGee 5d ago
I played it in my community orchestra not too long ago. I enjoyed it!
1
2
u/SherlockToad1 5d ago
I played harp in that piece a couple of years ago with a smaller regional orchestra in Kansas. Great experience!
1
u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 4d ago
The harp part was so unique in this symphony. The orchestra actually gets quiet so you can hear the little lines that are happening!
4
u/SleepingIsMyPastime 5d ago
My orchestra in Oslo, Norway played this a few years ago, and really liked it. I don’t remember specifics, but I remember having fun practicing and performing it. Also, it was fun having a banjo in the orchestra.