Still: Symphony No1; Ellington: River

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
William Grant Still composed a large body of excellent music that deserves the widest possible circulation. He merged his mastery of the jazz vernacular with classical forms learned at Wilberforce and Oberlin. Even while studying later with an iconoclast like Edgar Varese, Still sought to extend the historical focus of the Harlem Renaissance into his compositions, injecting the "Afro-American" symphony especially with folk-inspired touches of impressionism and neo-Romanticism. The work seeks a broad sweep and bears resemblances to Gershwin and Ellington in the mix of pop and swing elements into the symphonic language. The coupling is a fitting one, in part because Ellington struggled for years to create a large-scale work that could indeed be considered rightfully "orchestral" outside his own big band's works. The Suite from the River is an ideal revelation, taking Ellington's sectionally orchestral thinking (where the orchestra was a conglomerate of different sections playing off each other) to levels that reach Still's well-schooled use of the symphony orchestra as a vehicle. Neeme Järvi does a fine job leading the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in rendering these two unlikely but deserving works. --Andrew Bartlett

Still: Symphony No1; Ellington: River, Music, Edward "Duke" Ellington, William Grant Still, Neeme Järvi, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Ron Collier, 20th/21st Century Symphony, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous Music, Orchestral & Symphonic, Symphonic
Still: Symphony No. 1; Ellington: Suite from "The River"
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Still: Symphony Nº 1
  • Good, Good, Good
  • African-American Composers In The Spotlight
  • Great music, underplayed performance
  • Bought it for the Ellington; play it now for the Still!
 Still: Symphony No. 1; Ellington: Suite from "The River"

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by EllingtonAll Works by Ellington | Ellington, Edward Duke | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by StillAll Works by Still | Still, William Grant | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
SymphoniesSymphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
Modern & 20th CenturyModern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Detroit Symphony OrchestraDetroit Symphony Orchestra | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Still/Dawson/Ellington: Symphony No. 2/Negro Folk Symphony/Harlem
  2. William Grant Still: Afro-American Symphony; In Memoriam; Africa (Symphonic Poem)
  3. Nielsen: Aladdin Suite; Pan and Syrinx; Saga Deam; Maskarade Overture; Helios Overture
  4. Works By William Grant Still
  5. Ahmad's Blues

ASIN: B000000ARJ
Release Date: 1993-12-30

Tracks:

  1. Symphony No. 1 (Afro-American): I Moderato Assai
  2. Symphony No. 1 (Afro-American): II Adagio
  3. Symphony No. 1 (Afro-American): III Animato
  4. Symphony No. 1 (Afro-American): IV Lento, con risoluzione
  5. Suite From 'The River': 1 Spring
  6. Suite From 'The River': 2 Meander
  7. Suite From 'The River': 3 Giggling Rapids
  8. Suite From 'The River': 4 Lake
  9. Suite From 'The River': 5 Vortex
  10. Suite From 'The River': 6 Riba
  11. Suite From 'The River': 7 Village Virgins

Amazon.com

William Grant Still composed a large body of excellent music that deserves the widest possible circulation. He merged his mastery of the jazz vernacular with classical forms learned at Wilberforce and Oberlin. Even while studying later with an iconoclast like Edgar Varese, Still sought to extend the historical focus of the Harlem Renaissance into his compositions, injecting the "Afro-American" symphony especially with folk-inspired touches of impressionism and neo-Romanticism. The work seeks a broad sweep and bears resemblances to Gershwin and Ellington in the mix of pop and swing elements into the symphonic language. The coupling is a fitting one, in part because Ellington struggled for years to create a large-scale work that could indeed be considered rightfully "orchestral" outside his own big band's works. The Suite from the River is an ideal revelation, taking Ellington's sectionally orchestral thinking (where the orchestra was a conglomerate of different sections playing off each other) to levels that reach Still's well-schooled use of the symphony orchestra as a vehicle. Neeme Järvi does a fine job leading the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in rendering these two unlikely but deserving works. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Still: Symphony Nº 1.......2005-10-17

This is a masterpiece of the black folclor in a wonderfull interpretation. When I heard for first time I felt me inside of the soul of the ancient black people. The composer and the interpretation knew in themselves the happiness and the sadness at same time from them

5 out of 5 stars Good, Good, Good.......2005-06-20

Since these two composers must be considered in the same field as Beethoven and Brahms (it's strange to think of Ellington writing in that setting), I must rate the music itself only 4 stars because these two are not quite Big B (either one) when it comes to knowing the orchestra. I do like this music very much, and I give this performance 5 stars for the DSO's willingness to put it out at all: they have rectified a great dishonor held against both composers. However, while the playing is good, I can imagine more passion in these pieces, and I wonder why Bernstein never touched them, being somewhat of a jazzman himself.

Here's a musing: the CD box seems to indicate that the segments from The River were not arranged by Duke himself. I don't know why this would be, but if it's true then the music probably could have been twice as good, because if you've ever listened to any of Duke's big band music at all, you'll know that Duke was incapable of producing an arrangement with inappropriate part-writing. But this oddity aside, I enjoyed this disc fully and I heard some new sounds to boot. If you haven't heard this, get it. You will enjoy a solid performance of worthy music.

5 out of 5 stars African-American Composers In The Spotlight.......2004-07-18

Two great African-American composers of the 20th century--William Grant Still (1895-1978) and the legendary "Sir" Duke Ellington (1899-1974)--have one work each spotlighted on this fine Chandos recording.

Still's "Afro-American" symphony--the Symphony No. 1--has the distinction of being perhaps the first symphony by an African-American ever to be performed by a major symphony orchestra (composer and conductor Howard Hanson led the work's world premiere in 1931 with the Rochester Philharmonic). It is a work that is very much a part of the composer's background, with its roots in jazz and the blues, and is every bit as American as the great works of Copland and Gershwin, though its symphonic structure is also very much along the lines of Brahms and Beethoven.

Duke Ellington, meanwhile, gets onto this recording via his 1970 ballet music for "The River", which was commissioned by Alvin Ailey's dance company. Though known as one of the premiere American jazz geniuses of all times, Ellington could also compose for symphonic orchestra (his total number of works is at least 2,000); and this work, which depicts the natural course of a river, is a wonderful and energetic piece.

Both Still's and Ellington's works are not all that well known, but are given first rate performances by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Neeme Jarvi. As they had done with the music of French composers under Paul Paray in the 1950s/early 1960s, and with 20th century music from composers like Copland and Richard Strauss under Antal Dorati in the late 70s/early 80s, the orchestra during Jarvi's tenure has been a strong advocate of African-American composers and their works, and this is a prime example of that. Well worth looking for and listening to.

3 out of 5 stars Great music, underplayed performance.......2004-05-08

This is a good performance of a great work. One writer below describes the symphony as being in "the Gershwin style". Nothing could be further from the truth. A common source informs the work of Still & Gershwin, yet Still's purpose was to present a serious black perspective in a symphonic idiom, whereas Gershwin used the Blues as a technique to color and enliven his essentially American-Eurocentric view of a popular idiom. The genesis of the Scherzo of Still's symphony (which contains what is wrongly thought of as an "I Got Rhythm" quotation) is complex, fascinating, and full of coded messages. If you're truly interested in its meaning, and the difference in Gershwin and Still's treatment of the material, see Catherine Smith's "William Grant Still: A Study in Contradictions".

All that said, Still is an American original, and it is shameful and craven on the part of boards and producers that we have yet to hear more of his many orchestral works, or any of his 8 operas in stagings by major American companies. You can find tapes of rather poor performances of three of his operas, if you look hard. Come on MET, DG, NY Opera, BMG, Seattle Opera, Naxos, Chicago Opera, CPO, Boston Lyric Opera, Chandos, Cleveland Opera! Please spare us another Rigoletto and give us one, just one Still opera! We'll buy it! Till then, I'm even grateful for this.

5 out of 5 stars Bought it for the Ellington; play it now for the Still!.......2003-07-20

When I bought this CD, it was for The River, an excellent minor classical piece by Duke Ellington. Once I heard the Grant Still symphony, I was hooked. This is great music, in the Gershwin style, but written contemporaneously. The recording is superb, Neemi Jarvi is excellent (as always), and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, often underrated, is in top form.
Cabin In The Sky: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1943 Film)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A Great Must Have
  • Perfectly remastered classic
  • Louis, Lena, Ethel, and Eddie in a classic
  • INCREDIBLE SOUNDTRACK
 Cabin In The Sky: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1943 Film)
John LaTouche
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classic Female Vocal BluesClassic Female Vocal Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
Duke, VernonDuke, Vernon | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by EllingtonAll Works by Ellington | Ellington, Edward Duke | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. Cabin in the Sky
  2. Stormy Weather
  3. Hallelujah
  4. Pinky

ASIN: B0000033PK
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

  1. Main Title - M-G-M Studio Orchestra
  2. Foreward - Hall Johnson Choir and the M-G-M Studio Orchestra
  3. Li'l Black Sheep (Extended Version) - Ethel Waters and the Hall Johnson Choir
  4. Old Ship Zion - Kenneth Spencer and the Hall Johnson Choir
  5. But The Flesh Is Weak - M-G-M Studio Orchestra
  6. The Prayer - M-G-M Studio Orchestra
  7. The First Revelation - M-G-M Studio Orchestra
  8. Saint Petunia (Extended Version) - M-G-M Studio Orchestra
  9. Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe - Ethel Waters
  10. Dat Suits Me - Ethel Waters, Butterfly McQueen, and the Hall...
  11. Beside The Still Waters - M-G-M Studio Orchestra
  12. Cabin In The Sky - Ethel Waters, Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, and...
  13. Ain't It The Truth (Outtake) - Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra
  14. Ain't It The Truth Reprise (Outtake) - Lena Horn
  15. Taking A Chance On Love - Ethel Waters with whistle by Eddie 'Rochester'...
  16. The Meek And The Mild - M-G-M Studio Orchestra
  17. Life's Full Of Consequences - Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson and Lena Horn
  18. Petunia In The Wilderness - M-G-M Studio Orchestra
  19. Happinesss Is A Thing Called Joe (Reprise) - Ethel Waters
  20. Things Ain't The Way They Used To Be - Duke Ellington And His Orchestra
  21. Going Up (Extended Version) - Duke Ellington And His Orchestra with piano solo..
  22. Down At John Henry's ([In] My Old Virginia Home) - Duke Ellington And His Orchestra
  23. Shine - John Bubbles (John W. Sublett),The Hall Johnson...
  24. Honey In The Honeycomb (Extended Version) - Lena Horn
  25. Love Me Tomorrow - M-G-M Studio Orchestra
  26. Honey In The Honeycomb (Reprise) - Ethel Waters
  27. Sweet Petunia - M-G-M Studio Orchestra
  28. The Third Revelation - M-G-M Studio Orchestra
  29. Little Joe Throws Snake Eyes - M-G-M Studio Orchestra
  30. Amen - M-G-M Studio Orchestra
  31. Taking A Chance On Love (Reprise) - Ethel Waters and the Hall Johnson Choir
  32. Taking A Chance On Love (Full Reprise Lyrics) - Ethel Waters, with Roger Edens at the piano

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A Great Must Have .......2005-12-29

Cabin in the Sky is an excellent, excellent black film. Very entertaining and a movie that projects the power of a conscience. I first saw Cabin in Sky on the AMC channel with my dad when I was 15 years old. I am now 32 years old and every time I watch the movie it is as if I am watching it for the first time. This is a great movie and I can't wait for the DVD version.

5 out of 5 stars Perfectly remastered classic.......2001-09-18

I have to give this CD 5 stars since it provides americans the only chance to listen to the fine voice of Kenneth Spencer. It's worth buing the CD just for the one track he's singing.

5 out of 5 stars Louis, Lena, Ethel, and Eddie in a classic.......2000-12-13

CABIN IN THE SKY is one of my favorite films, and the soundtrack does full justice to the score and the performers. 5 extended versions and 4 outtakes are welcome additions to this entertaining CD. The combination of jazz and inspirational tunes surpisingly come together very harmoniously in this mixture of fantasy and reality. The sound quality is fine, though a stereo remix was not possible. From the opening "Lil' Black Sheep" to "Taking a Chance on Love" the score is full of gems and anyone who loves musicals will be inspired by this soundtrack.

4 out of 5 stars INCREDIBLE SOUNDTRACK.......1999-07-31

Duke Ellington, Ethel Waters & Lena Horne, what else could a musical ask for. Three giants of jazz & blues,who show us a small portion of their great indvidual talents on this soundtrack.

Duke Ellington's , Going Up, Lena's version of Ain't it the Truth, and the wonderful swinging vocals of Ethel Waters. One of the african-american divas that was there when blues and jazz started, and one of the earliest to be recorded. Makes you wonder why more musicals were not made with these great artists.Reccommend also all of Miss Waters recordings reissued on the Classics Label from 1921-1940. This cd is a must for anyone interested in jazz or blues.
American Classics
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Very good album
 American Classics

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

BalletsBallets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by AdamsAll Works by Adams | Adams, John | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by BarberAll Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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All Works by CoplandAll Works by Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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All Works by StillAll Works by Still | Still, William Grant | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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SymphoniesSymphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
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London Philharmonic OrchestraLondon Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0007ZEBYY
Release Date: 2005-05-24

Tracks:

  1. Fanfare For The Common Man - Netherlands Wind Ensemble
  2. Short Ride In A Fast Machine - Netherlands Wind Ensemble
  3. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me - Center City Brass Quintet
  4. The Stars And Stripes Forever - Detroit Symphony Orchestra
  5. Promenade (From Walking The Dog) - Detroit Symphony Orchestra
  6. Giggling Rapids (From The River) - Detroit Symphony Orchestra
  7. Riffs (From Prelude, Fugue And Riffs) - Netherlands Wind Ensemble
  8. Solitude - Detroit Symphony Orchestra
  9. Adagio For Strings, Op.11 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra
  10. Pavane (From Sebastian) - Richard Hickox
  11. Gospel Train - Yuli Turovsky
  12. Meander (From The River) - Detroit Symphony Orchestra
  13. Mvt. II From Symphony No.2 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra
  14. Washington Post - The Band Of The Blues And Royals
  15. Girl Crazy Overture - BBC Philharmonic
  16. Liberty Bell - Band Of The Royal Air Force College, Cranwell

Tracks:

  1. Rhapsody In Blue - Howard Shelley
  2. Steal Away To Jesus - Willard White
  3. Summertime - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields Chamber Ensemble
  4. Must The Winter Come So Soon? (From Vanessa) - Susan Graham
  5. Porgy Sings (From Catfish Row) - Howard Shelley
  6. Nagoya Marimbas - Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
  7. Mvt. III From Symphony No.1 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra
  8. Intermezzo (From Vanessa) - Detroit Symphony Orchestra
  9. America (From West Side Story) - Netherlands Wind Ensemble
  10. It Ain't Necessarily So (From Porgy And Bess) - Center City Brass Quintet
  11. Mvt. II From Concerto For Clarinet - Scottish National Orchestra
  12. Riba (From The River) - Detroit Symphony Orchestra
  13. Simple Gifts (From Old American Songs, Set I) - Willard White
  14. Blues (From Divertimento) - BBC Symphony Orchestra
  15. Strike Up The Band Overture - BBC Philharmonic

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Very good album.......2007-06-24

Every song on this CD has such a crisp sound. Also, they are all perfectly arranged, classic American songs. I am very happy with this product. Great buy.

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