Composers Datebook

Still's Symphony No. 2


Listen Later

Synopsis

During his 26 seasons with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the charismatic conductor Leopold Stokowski often programmed new music by contemporary composers.


On today’s date in 1937, for example, Stokowski and the Philadelphians performed works by two American composers.  First up was some ballet music by Robert McBride, which The Philadelphia Inquirer reviewer found “of indifferent interest.”


The same critic, however, was enthusiastic about the second work, the premiere performance of the William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 2, Song of a New Race. “[It] was of absorbing interest, unmistakably racial in thematic material and rhythms, and triumphantly articulate in expression of moods, ranging from the exuberance of jazz to brooding wistfulness.”


Still contrasted his Symphony No. 2 with his Symphony No. 1, the Afro-American Symphony. “[If my Symphony No. 1] represented the Negro of days not far removed from the Civil War,” his Symphony No. 2, said Still, represented “the American colored man of today, in so many instances a totally new individual.”


One striking feature of Still’s Symphony No. 2 is the expansive, lyrical writing for strings, perhaps a nod to the Philadelphia’s famously silky string sound; another is the brass choir call and response gestures, reminiscent of African-American church music traditions.



Music Played in Today's Program

William Grant Still (1875-1978): Symphony No. 2 (Song of a New Race); Detroit Symphony Orchestra; Neeme Jarvi, conductor; Chandos 9226

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Composers DatebookBy American Public Media

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

168 ratings


More shows like Composers Datebook

View all
Science Friday by Science Friday and WNYC Studios

Science Friday

6,074 Listeners

On the Media by WNYC Studios

On the Media

9,129 Listeners

BirdNote Daily by BirdNote

BirdNote Daily

1,187 Listeners

All Songs Considered by NPR

All Songs Considered

3,111 Listeners

The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters by American Public Media

The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters

3,009 Listeners

Piano Puzzler by American Public Media

Piano Puzzler

500 Listeners

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! by NPR

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

38,692 Listeners

Marketplace Morning Report by Marketplace

Marketplace Morning Report

883 Listeners

Marketplace by Marketplace

Marketplace

8,642 Listeners

Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

38,151 Listeners

Marketplace All-in-One by Marketplace

Marketplace All-in-One

1,354 Listeners

Brains On! Science podcast for kids by American Public Media

Brains On! Science podcast for kids

13,262 Listeners

Gastropod by Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley

Gastropod

3,598 Listeners

YourClassical Daily Download by American Public Media

YourClassical Daily Download

234 Listeners

The New Yorker Radio Hour by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

The New Yorker Radio Hour

6,686 Listeners

In The Dark by The New Yorker

In The Dark

27,495 Listeners

Make Me Smart by Marketplace

Make Me Smart

5,499 Listeners

Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast by Joshua Weilerstein

Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast

2,084 Listeners

Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family by American Public Media

Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family

13,469 Listeners

Garrison Keillor's Podcast by Prairie Home Productions

Garrison Keillor's Podcast

1,124 Listeners

Forever Ago by American Public Media

Forever Ago

5,870 Listeners

Throughline by NPR

Throughline

15,941 Listeners

This Is Uncomfortable by Marketplace

This Is Uncomfortable

3,601 Listeners

Classical Breakdown by WETA Classical

Classical Breakdown

199 Listeners

The Wirecutter Show by The New York Times

The Wirecutter Show

1,076 Listeners