Miniatures (Still)

Add links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

William Grant Still in 1949, photographed by Carl Van Vechten

Miniature is a musical composition in five movements composed in 1948 by American composer William Grant Still.[1] The composition was originally created for trio (flute, oboe, and piano) and was later, in 1963, arranged for quintet (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet and horn).[2]: 250  The composition is about twelve minutes long.

Overview

The work was dedicated to Sir John and Lady Barbirolli: “This suite is based on folk songs of the Americas, and is a souvenir of the visit to America of Sir John and Lady Barbirolli, and of the many friends made by them during their stay.”[3]

According to the Staff of the International Opus, the composition is well described as follows:

[William Grant] Still broke many barriers during his career, including being the first African-American composer to write orchestral works and have them performed by major symphony orchestras, as well as being the first conductor of color to lead a major American symphony. His musical style incorporates a variety of African-American styles, from spirituals to blues and jazz, in addition to European, Latin American, and other folk music genres. ... Miniatures aired on

Kennedy Center, the five contrasting movements display a variety of Afro, Anglo, Latino and Native American musical styles; I Ride An Old Paint (Cowboy Song - U.S.A.), Adolorido (Mexico), Jesus Is A Rock In The Weary Land (Spiritual, bluesy clarinet solo - U.S.A.), Yaravi (Peru) and A Frog Went A-Courtin’ (U.S.A.).[4]

— Staff, International Opus

Movements

The work is in five movements as follows:

  1. I Ride an Old Paint (Cowboy Song - U.S.A.)
  2. Adolorido (Mexico)
  3. Jesus Is A Rock In The Weary Land (Spiritual, U.S.A.)
  4. Yaravi (Peru)
  5. Frog Went a-Courting (U.S.A.)

See also

References

  1. ISBN 978-1-55728-789-2
    .
  2. ISBN 978-0-313-29826-4
    .
  3. ^ Staff (January 23, 2021). "William Grant Still (1895-1978) - African American Composer, Arranger, Conductor & Oboist - Dean of African American Composers". AfriClassical.com. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  4. ^ Staff (2021). "William Grant Still - Miniatures". International Opus. Retrieved January 26, 2021.

Further reading

  • Still, Judith Anne (1990). William Grant Still: A Voice High-Sounding (1 ed.). Flagstaff, Arizona: The Master-Player Library.
    ISBN 1-877873-15-2
    .

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miniatures_(Still)&oldid=1221079560"