William Grant Still: Darker America [w/ score]

Performed by the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra:    • Video   Written by William Grant Still in 1924, the tone-poem "Darker America" reflects his interest and level of training of the period. The harmonies are tinged with the modernism of his private teacher, Edgard Varèse, and the subject matter was the deeply personal touchstone of race. Compared to his more famous, later orchestral piece in the same vein—the "Afro-American" Symphony—"Darker America" is more rhapsodic, fitting a lot of ideas into twelve minutes. His characteristic flair for orchestration, however, is on full display, having learned much in that department from his work in the commercial world prior to studies with Varèse. More information:    • "The Dean of Afro-American Composers:" Wil...