Poster Portrait of composer William Grant Still, 1936
Portrait of composer William Grant Still, 1936
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Performance Today®

William Grant Still

In 1948, American composer William Grant Still was inspired by some poems about the natural beauty of the American South. On this episode of Performance Today, take a break with us and hear Wood Notes, William Grant Still's work of quiet musical contemplation.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

William Grant Still: Lyric Quartet: The Quiet One
Oregon String Quartet
William Grant Still
Koch 7546

Gaspar Sanz: Suite Espanola
Celino Romero, guitar
Ramsey Concert Hall, The University of Georgia Performing Arts Center, Athens, GA

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Oboe Quartet in F Major, K. 370
James Austin Smith, oboe; Adam Barnett-Hart, violin; Pierre LaPointe, viola; Brook Speltz, cello
The Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach, The Breakers - Gold Room, Palm Beach, FL

William Grant Still: Wood Notes
ROCO; Scott St. John, concertmaster
ROCO Chamber Orchestra, St. John the Divine Church, Houston, TX

Hour 2

Joseph Haydn: Symphony in C Major Hob. I:48 "Maria Theresia" IV: Finale - Allegro
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Haydn: Symphonies No. 48 & 49
DG 419607

Gerald Finzi: Clarinet Concerto, Op. 31
Todd Palmer, clarinet; G Nuttall, O Dalby, & E Heidrick, violin; M Rostad & M Bhasin, viola; J Roman & N Lee, cello; D Balliett, double bass
Spoleto Festival USA, South Carolina Public Radio, Dock Street Theater, Charleston, SC

Gabriela Lena Frank: Elegia Andina (2000)
ROCO; David Danzmayr, conductor
ROCO Chamber Orchestra, St. John the Divine Church, Houston, TX

Joseph Haydn: Haydn: Piano Sonata in C, H.XVI No.50 - 2. Adagio (encore)
Bertrand Chamayou, piano
Spivey Hall, Clayton State University, Morrow, GA

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Hosted by Valerie Kahler, Performance Today® features live concert recordings that can’t be heard anywhere else, highlights from new album releases, and in-studio performances and interviews. Performance Today® is based at the APM studios in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is frequently on the road, with special programs broadcast from festivals and public radio stations around the country.

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