William Grant Still
Dominique-René de Lerma:
Iam extraordinarily glad that, through the critically important website of William Zick (chevalierdesaintgeorges.homestead.com/), atargeted and international audience was aware of this performance ofWilliam Grant Still's Afro-American symphony. I wasinvolved in the LP recording of the work we did with the LondonSymphony Orchestra (the other LSO) for Columbia Records forty yearsago and I am very familiar with all of the subsequent CD recordings. There has not been any performance that has equaled that ofLawrence's orchestra, conducted with such profound understanding byDr. Moss -- not in terms of sentiment, balance, or insight. Iknew Dr. Still, and I know he would have been astonished that anyundergraduate school orchestra would have scheduled or given sostellar a performance. I alerted in advance Judith Anne Still,the composer's daughter and my dear friend, to this performance. She certainly listened on her computer, along with our many friendsand colleagues in Europe and Africa. This performance is beingadded to the entry on Still in my forthcoming encyclopedia. Thefirst time anyone at Lawrence ever heard this work (or perhapsStill's name) would have been in my classes on Black music(1994-2002). The students were then irritated they had not thus farencountered such a milestone in Black music history. Now, bymore than those just in the Con, this work has been heard. Andall of those elsewhere were introduced to the high standards of ourstudents. I am so deeply proud that my final of 52 years ofteaching, were dedicated to Lawrence!
Dominique-Renéde Lerma, retired professor of music, Lawrence UniversityComment by email:It was indeed a wonderful performance, and an important moment for Lawrence to let this great work resound though the Chapel and across the globe via our webcast. Thank you all for your support getting the word out about this concert.
Still glowing from the glorious music-making.
Dean Brian Pertl
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder