WILLIAM GRANT STILL, WILLIAM LEVI DAWSON & DUKE ELLINGTON: Detroit Symphony Orchestra | Audio CD

Product Information

• UPC: 095115922620
• Product Type: Digital CD
• Format: DDD (All-Digital Recording)
• Label/Series: Chandos Digital – American Series Volume 5 (CHAN 9226; reference: CHAN-3226)
• Total Time: 73:54
• Ensemble: Detroit Symphony Orchestra
• Chief Conductor: Neeme Järvi
• Recording Support: Made possible, in part, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the friends of Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall
• Release Details: 1993 by Chandos Records Ltd., Colchester, Essex, England; Printed in Germany

Overview

This premier recording brings together three landmark American works rendered in pristine DDD sound:
• Symphony No. 2 (Song of a New Race) in G minor by William Grant Still, an evocative work capturing the spirit of a new cultural vision;
• Negro Folk Symphony by William Levi Dawson, a powerful musical narrative celebrating African American heritage; and
• Harlem by Duke Ellington (orchestrated by Luther Henderson), an exemplary fusion of jazz and orchestral traditions.

Performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under the exemplary baton of Neeme Järvi, this release stands as a testament to American classical ingenuity and cultural expression.

French Translation – Overview (Vue d'ensemble)

Cet enregistrement premier réunit trois œuvres américaines emblématiques, réalisées en qualité numérique DDD impeccable :
• Symphonie n°2 (Song of a New Race) en sol mineur de William Grant Still, une œuvre évocatrice qui incarne l’esprit d’une nouvelle vision culturelle ;
• Negro Folk Symphony de William Levi Dawson, une puissante narration musicale célébrant le patrimoine afro-américain ; et
• Harlem de Duke Ellington (orchestré par Luther Henderson), une fusion exemplaire entre jazz et traditions orchestrales.

Interprété par le Detroit Symphony Orchestra sous la direction experte de Neeme Järvi, cet enregistrement témoigne de l’ingéniosité classique américaine et de son expression culturelle.

Product Features

Key Details

• High-Fidelity DDD Recording: Ensures crystal-clear, all-digital sound quality.
• Premier Recording: The first-ever complete recording of Still’s Symphony No. 2.
• American Cultural Heritage: Showcases profound works by three seminal American composers.
• Award-Winning Performance: Delivered by the renowned Detroit Symphony Orchestra with Neeme Järvi at the helm.
• Critically Acclaimed: Hailed by Gramophone (March 1994) for its "consistently idiomatic, polished advocacy and agreeably velvety Chandos sound."

Interesting Facts

Unique Insights

• Historic Premiere: This release marks the premier recording of William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 2 (Song of a New Race), capturing a pivotal work in American orchestral repertoire.
• Diverse Musical Voices: In a rare and ambitious project, it pairs works from three distinct American composers—each contributing a unique narrative and musical language that reflects the cultural vitality of their time.
• Critical Recognition: Gramophone (March 1994) commended the release for its polished performance and empathetic presentation.
• Support & Collaboration: The recording’s realization was bolstered by support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the dedicated friends of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall, underscoring its cultural significance.
• Innovative Arrangements: Duke Ellington’s “Harlem” is presented in an orchestral arrangement by Luther Henderson, featuring standout trumpet solos by Walter White and William Lucas.

French Translation – Interesting Facts (Faits intéressants)

• Première Historique : Cet enregistrement marque la première enregistrement intégral de la Symphonie n°2 (Song of a New Race) de William Grant Still, capturant une œuvre phare du répertoire orchestral américain.
• Voix Musicales Diverses : Dans un projet rare et ambitieux, il allie des œuvres de trois compositeurs américains distincts, chacun apportant une narration et un langage musical unique reflétant la vitalité culturelle de leur époque.
• Reconnaissance Critique : Gramophone (mars 1994) a salué cet enregistrement pour sa performance soignée et son interprétation empreinte d’empathie.
• Soutien et Collaboration : La réalisation de cet enregistrement a bénéficié du soutien du National Endowment for the Arts ainsi que des amis du Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall, soulignant ainsi son importance culturelle.
• Arrangements Innovants : “Harlem” de Duke Ellington est présenté dans un arrangement orchestral de Luther Henderson, avec des solos de trompette remarquables interprétés par Walter White et William Lucas.

Track Listing

William Grant Still – Symphony No. 2 (Song of a New Race) in G minor (29:22)

• I. Slowly
  (Approximate duration: 7:28)
• II. Slowly and Deeply Expressive – 9:53
• III. Moderately Fast – 8:22
• IV. Moderately Slow – 3:39

William Levi Dawson – Negro Folk Symphony (28:26)

• I. The Bond of Africa – 11:03
• II. Hope in the Night – 9:49
• III. O, le' me shine, shine like a Morning Star! – 7:20

Duke Ellington – Harlem (15:48)

• Largo
  • Features trumpet soloists Walter White and William Lucas
  • Orchestrated by Luther Henderson

Publishers

• Label: Chandos Records Ltd.
• Location: Colchester, Essex, England (Catalog No. C7038)
• Release Year: 1993
• Production Note: Printed in Germany
• Special Acknowledgment: Supported, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts and the friends of Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall

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Hashtags

English:

#WilliamGrantStill #SymphonyNo2 #SongOfANewRace #WilliamLeviDawson #NegroFolkSymphony #DukeEllington #Harlem #DetroitSymphonyOrchestra #NeemeJärvi #ChandosDigital

French (Hashtags):

#WilliamGrantStill #SymphonieN°2 #SongOfANewRace #WilliamLeviDawson #SymphonieFolklorique #DukeEllington #Harlem #OrchestreDeDetroit #NeemeJärvi #ChandosDigital