Composers

William Grant Still

1895 - 1978

About

William Grant Still (1895 – 1978), born in Woodville, Mississippi, began violin lessons in grammar school at age 14 and was self-taught in clarinet, saxophone, oboe, double bass, cello, and viola. At Oberlin College, in Boston, and in New York, Still honed his compositional skills by studying with George Andrews, Friedrich Lehmann, George W. Chadwich, Edgard Varèse. Besides Duke Ellington, he stands as one of the foremost composers of the Harlem Renaissance and is its greatest art-music composer. Among his well known works: Afro-American Symphony, Songs of Separation, Plainchant for American Symphony, Seven Traceries, The Little Song That Wanted to be A Symphony, three ballets – La Guiablesse, Sahdji, and Lenox Avenue, Levee Land, and A Bayou Legend. William Grant Still’s career was filled with milestones, which marked the growth of black society and its musical language. His Afro-American Symphony was the first large work by a black composer performed by a major orchestra and was the first symphonic work to use blues and jazz; he was the first black conductor active in the deep south; he was the first black composer to have an opera performed by major U.S. company; his Bayou Legend was the first opera by a black composer to be broadcast on national television and for this, he is called the Dean of Afro-American composers. William Grant Still’s compositional output consists of all forms, including more that 25 works for large orchestra, 5 symphonies, 4 ballets, 8 works for voice and orchestra, more than a dozen chamber compositions, many pieces for keyboard and accordion, songs, music for radio groups, and soundtracks of films and television. He is recognized as one of the great American composers.

Related Information

Biographies of black composers and songwriters, international dictionary of Black composer, http://www.williamgrantstillmusic.com/BiographicalNotes.htm

Works by William Grant Still

Title Collection Voice Type Range Poet
1. Little Mother From the Hearts of Women Soprano F#4 - G#5 Verna Arvey
2. Midtide From the Hearts of Women Soprano E4 - G5 Verna Arvey
3. Coquette From the Hearts of Women Soprano E4 - E5 Verna Arvey
4. Bereft From the Hearts of Women Soprano Eb4 - G5 Verna Arvey
A Black Pierrot Songs of Separation Voice E4 - G5 Langston Hughes
A Dream Wasted, Highway 1 U.S.A Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Baritone D3 - F4 Verna Arvey
A Wand'ring Beggar Came, Costaso Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Tenor Eb3 - Bb4 Verna Arvey
Ah Got a Home In-a Dat Rock Voice D4 - F5 Biblical
All God's Chillun Got Shoes Voice D4 - B4 Biblical
All That I Am Voice Eb4 - Eb5 Verna Arvey
An Age Is Passed, A Bayou Legend Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Soprano E4 - A5 Verna Arvey
Arkansas Voice C4 - E5 Verna Arvey
Ave Maria, Costaso Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Tenor Verna Arvey
Bayou Home Voice B3 - F5 Verna Arvey
Because Faint Whisperings of Practices, A Bayou Legend Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Bass Verna Arvey
Breath of a Rose Voice Eb 4 - F#5 | C4-D5 Langston Hughes
Brown Baby Voice C4 - C5 Paul Henry
Calm as the Waters of the Bayou, A Bayou Legend Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Soprano Verna Arvey
Camp Meetin' Voice F4 - F5 Biblical
Children of the World, A Bayou Legend Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Tenor Eb3 - Ab4 Verna Arvey
Citadel Voice D4 - G5 Virginia Brasier
Didn't My Lawd Deliver Daniel Voice G4 - D4 Biblical
Drums in the Court, Troubled Island Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Baritone C#3 - E4 Langston Hughes
Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit Voice D4 - E5 Biblical
Give Me No Body Without Your Soul, Blue Steel Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Soprano F4 - Db6 Bruce Forsythe
Golden Days, Costaso Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Soprano E4 - A5 Verna Arvey
Good News Twelve Negro Spirituals, Volume 2 Voice D4 - G5 Biblical
Great Day Twelve Negro Spirituals, Volume 2 Voice D4 - D5 Biblical
Grief Voice F4 - G5 Leroy V. Brant
Gwinter Sing All Along De Way Twelve Negro Spirituals, Volume 2 Voice F4 - F5 Biblical
Hard Trials Voice A4 - A5 Biblical
Hard Trials Three Rhythmic Spirituals Voice F4 - F5 Biblical
Hear Me, Hear My Plea! The Pillar Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Tenor G3 - A4 Verna Arvey
Here's One Medium D4 - F#5 Biblical
Holy Spirit, Don't Leave me Three Rhythmic Spirituals Voice D4 - G5 Biblical
I Dream A World, Troubled Island Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Bass F#2 - A3 Langston Hughes
I Have Two Loves, Minette Fontaine Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Soprano Eb4 - G5 Verna Arvey
Idolatry Songs of Separation Voice D4 - A5 Arna Bontemps
If You Should Go Songs of Separation Voice D4 - G5 Countee Cullen
Keep Me F''om Sinking Down Twelve Negro Spirituals, Volume 1 Voice D4 - B4 Biblical
Knew You Were Coming. Minette Fontaine Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Contralto Verna Arvey
Lawd, Ah Wants To Be A Christian Twelve Negro Spirituals, Volume 1 Voice Eb4 - Gb5 Biblical
Lis'en To De Lam's Twelve Negro Spirituals, Volume 1 Voice E4 - G5 Biblical
Listen, Mary, Trust Me! Highway 1 U.S.A Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Soprano Verna Arvey
Little Black Slave Child, Troubled Island Arias, Duets, and Scenes from the Operas, Volume 2: Arias for Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Mezzo-Soprano D4 - E5 Langston Hughes
Lord, I Looked down the Road Three Rhythmic Spirituals Voice Eb4 - Gb5 Biblical
Lullaby Rhapsody Voice F4 - A5 Verna Arvey
Mah Lawd Says He's Goin' To Rain Down Fiah Twelve Negro Spirituals, Volume 2 Voice A4 - E5 Biblical
Memphis Man William Grant Still: An Art Song Collection Voice C4 - Eb5 Paul Henry
Mississippi William Grant Still: An Art Song Collection Voice D4 - G5 Verna Arvey
Title Published Size Solo with Ensemble Duration Range Level Orchestration
A Deserted Plantation (version 1) Yes Full Orchestra Piano 10-20 Professional 2.2+EH.4.1 +4 sax/1.3.3.1/timp + 1/banjo+guitar /hp, pno/str
A Deserted Plantation (version 2) Yes Full Orchestra Two Pianos 10-20 Professional 1.1+EH.3.0+4 sax/0.3.3.1 / 1 perc /banjo+guitar/cel, 2 pianos/ str
A New Orleans Street Yes Full Orchestra Professional picc., 2 ob., 2 clar., 2 bass., 2 hrns., hp., pno., str. Quintet( 2 v., vio., ce., ba. ).
A Psalm for the Living Yes Full Orchestra + Chorus Professional 2.2.2.2/4.2.2.1/1perc/hp/pno/str + SATB Chorus
A Song at Dusk Yes Full Orchestra 5-10 Professional 3(3rd=picc).2+EH.3.2/4.3.3.1/timp+2 (bells, chime, cymbs., drums)/hp, cel / str
Africa (I. Land of Peace II. Land of Romance III. Land of Superstition) No Full Orchestra Professional 3(3rd=picc.).2+EH.4.2 / 4.3.3.1 / timp. + 3 perc. (drums, 3 tom-toms, wood block, gourd, vibrap., wire brush, bells, cymbs.) / hp. / pno. / cel. / str.
After You've Gone Yes Full Orchestra Option for solo vocalist Professional 2(3rd= picc.).2+EH.3.2 / 4 sax/ 4.4.4.1 / timp. +1 perc. / hp., pno, banjo, bass / str.
All That I Am Yes Full Orchestra + Chorus Under 5 Professional 2.2.3.1/3.2.3.0/hp/str + SATB chorus
America: A Vision Yes Full Orchestra Professional 3.2+EH.3.2 / 4.3.3.0 / timp. + drums / hp. / pno. / str.
And They Lynched Him on a Tree Yes Full Orchestra + Chorus Contralto, Baritone 10-20 Professional 2(2nd=picc).2+EH.2.2./3.3.3.1/timp+1 (susp. cymb)/ hp / str + double mixed chorus, SATB, narrator, cont. soloist.
Archaic Ritual Yes Full Orchestra 20+ Professional 3(3rd picc.).2+EH.3.2(2=contra.) /4.3.3.1 / timp. +2 perc (bells, res. bells in G D, chimes, drums, 3 tom-toms, cymbs., gong) /hp, cel / str.
Ballet Music Yes Chamber Professional fl (ad piccolo), oboe, piano, str
Bells Yes Full Orchestra 5-10 Professional 3(3rd=picc.).2+EH.4.3(3rd=contrab.); 4.3.3.1/timp.+2 (bells, vibrap., chimes, cymbs.) hp, pno, cel, str
Beyond Tomorrow Yes Full Orchestra 5-10 Professional 3( 3rd=picc.).2+EH.3.2/ 4.3.3.1/ timp.+ 2 (bells, chime, cymbs., drums)/hp, cel/ str
Black Bottom Yes Full Orchestra 10-20 Professional 3(3rd=picc).1.3.2/2.3.2.1/ timp. +2 (gourd, slap stick, bells, drums, cymbs) / str.
Black Pierrot Yes Full Orchestra Under 5 Professional 2.2.2.2/3.1.2.1/ hp, cel / str
Can'tcha Line Em Yes Full Orchestra 5-10 Professional 1.1.2.1/ 2.2.1.0/ perc / str
Carmela Yes Full Orchestra Viola Professional 2.2.2.2/2.2.0.0 / timp+1 (castanets) /hp ,pno/ str + solo viola
Carribean Melodies Yes Full Orchestra + Chorus Soprano, Soprano, Mezzo-soprano, Contralto, Tenor, Baritone 20+ Professional drums, tom-toms, vegetable grater, rattle, pno., chorus, SATBB, dancers, 6 soloists ( 2 sop., mezzo, cont., ten., bar. )
Choreographic Prelude Yes Full Orchestra Professional 2(2nd=picc).2.2.2/3.2.2.1/timp+2 (tamb., conga drum, cymb.)/ hp/ str.; or fl. / pno / str
Christmas in the Western World Yes String Orchestra |Chamber + Chorus 20+ Professional string orchestra, pno., chorus; or, quartet, pno., chorus.
Citadel Yes String Orchestra | Chamber Soprano Under 5 Professional string orchestra, pno., voice.
Dances in the Canebrakes (Orch. of work by Florence Price) Yes Full Orchestra 5-10 Professional 2.2.2.2 +altosax/ 3.3.2.0/ timp + perc/ harp/ str
Danse Barbare Yes Full Orchestra Professional 2(2nd=picc).2.2.2 + 2 sax/ 4.2.3.1 / 1 perc / ten banjo / string quintet
Danzas de Panama Yes String Orchestra 10-20 Professional str
Dark Madonna Yes Full Orchestra Professional 2.2.2.2+3 sax / 4.2.3.1/ timp +1 (drums) / ten banjo/ str
Darker America Yes Full Orchestra 10-20 Professional 2.1+EH.2.2 / 1.1.1.0 / 1 perc (cymb., bd) / pno / str
Dismal Swamp Yes Full Orchestra Piano 10-20 Professional 3 [1.2.3/Pic] 3 [2+EH] 4 3 [1.2.contra] – 4331 – Timp +2 (vibrap., trian., drums, cymbs) – str + piano solo
Ebon Chronicle Yes Full Orchestra 5-10 Professional 3(3rd =picc).2+EH.4.3 (3rd=contra)/ 4.3.3.1/ timp+ 3 perc ( vibrap., temple blks., wire brush, wind machine, glock., drums, 2 tom-toms, cymbs) /hp / str
Ennanga Yes String Orchestra Harp 10-20 Professional str / hrp / piano
Entrance of Les Porteuses Yes String Orchestra Professional str
Fanfare for American War Heroes Yes Full Orchestra Under 5 Professional 3(3rd=picc).2+EH.3.2/4.3.3.1 / timp + 1 (susp cmb) / hp / str
Festival Overture Yes Full Orchestra 5-10 Professional 3(3rd=picc).2+EH.3.2 / 4.3.3.1 / timp +3 (bells, resonator bells, chimes, xylo., marimbap., trian., greeko cymb., cymbs., tamb., sn. drum, military drum) / hp, cel / str.
Florida Blues Yes Full Orchestra Professional 1.0.1.0 /0.2(cornets).1.0 / 2 perc (drums, cymbs., trian., block.) /pno / str
From a Lost Continent Yes Full Orchestra + Chorus Soprano, Tenor 10-20 Professional 2.1.2.2/0.0.0.0/timp + 3 (bells, chime, trian., maracas, sn. drum, tom-tom, susp. cymb) / hp / str + SATB Chorus, soprano and tenor soloists
From the Black Belt Yes Full Orchestra 20+ Professional 2.1.3.1/3.3.0.0 / timp + 1 perc / hp, cel / str
From the Gaiety of People No Professional
From the Heart of a Believer Yes Full Orchestra 5-10 Professional 3(3rd=picc)2+EH.3.3(3rd=contra)/ 4.3.3.1/ timp+2 (drums, cymbs., gong, trian., glock) / cel / str. ( Small bore trombones preferable. )
From the Hearts of Women Yes Full Orchestra Soprano 5-10 Professional string orchestra, hp., sop.; or, fl., ob., pno., quartet, sop.
From the Land of Dreams No Professional
Glory to the Newborn King Yes String Orchestra | Chamber Professional string orchestra, pno., chorus, SATB.
Grief (Weeping Angel) Yes Full Orchestra Soprano Professional 2.2.2.2/3.0.2.1/cel,hp/str + soprano soloist
Here's One Yes String Orchestra | Chamber + Chorus Mezzo-soprano Under 5 Professional fl., pno., str / chorus, SATB
Here's One Yes String Orchestra | Chamber Mezzo-soprano Under 5 Professional fl., pno., str + mezzo soloist
Here's One: A Still Medley Yes Full Orchestra Mezzo-soprano | Baritone Under 5 Professional 2.1+EH.2.2/2.2.2.1/timp+2 (cymb., sn. dr)/ hp. or pno/str + mezzo or bar. soloist.
If You Should Go Yes Full Orchestra Soprano Under 5 Professional 3(3rd=picc).2+EH.3.2 / 4.0.3.1 / timp + susp. cymb / hp, cel, str (soprano soloist)
In Memorium: The Colored Soldiers Who Died for Democracy Yes Full Orchestra 5-10 Professional 3(3rd=picc).2+EH.3.2/4.3.3.1/ timp +2 perc (chimes, drums, cymbs) / hp / str
Jungle Drums Yes Full Orchestra + Chorus Professional orchestra and choir
Kaintuck' Yes Full Orchestra Piano 10-20 Professional 3(3rd=picc).2+EH.4.2/4.3.3.1/timp+1/str + solo piano
La Guiablesse Yes Full Orchestra 10-20 Professional 3[1.2.3/pic] 2[1.2/Eh]2[1.2/Bcl]2-4331-timp-perc-harp-str
Composer Title Work Instrumentation Level Number of Movements Accompanied Size Duration Range
William Grant Still A Bit of Wit Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still African Drums Piano 3 No Solo
William Grant Still Cloud Cradles Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still Dark Horsemen Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still Fairy Knoll Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still Marionette Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still Muted Laughter Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still Mystic Pool Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still Out of the Silence Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still Phantom Chapel Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still Prelude Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still Quit Dat Fool'nish Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still Radiant Pinnacle Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still Summerland Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still Swanee River Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still Wailing Dawn Piano 1 No Solo
William Grant Still Woven Silver Piano 1 No Solo