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Witness: Skyward My People Rose - Music of William Grant Still

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Though William Grant Still (1895-1978) was of a mixed lineage - Irish, Native American, Hispanic and African American - his country defined him as "black." Sometimes Still embraced the definition, sometimes chaffed under it; e.g.when called "the Dean of Afro-American Music" he is said to have responded "Why, then, isn't Aaron Copeland called the 'Dean of White Composers'?"

He never disclaimed his African ancestry, but he also longed to fuse the many elements that were part of his -and our - national heritage, to be a truly American composer. This CD provides an excellent representation of this goal, with works ranging from a setting of "Swanee River" (which began life as a black folk song, was converted to a minstrel tune by Stephen Foster, then found it's way back into the folk tradition) to a ballet which concludes with a "cake walk," a round dance from plantation days.

For over 10 years, The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Chorus (conducted by Philip Brunelle) has presented an enduring series of concerts showcasing the talents of trailblazing African American composers. Now this wealth of music is available outside the concert hall through a series of recordings called WITNESS.

The other three CDs are available as single titles, or in the boxed set THE WITNESS COLLECTION which includes:

WHAT A MIGHTY GOD: Spirituals and Gospels for Chorus
DANCE LIKE THE WIND: Music of Today's Black Composers
GOT THE SAINT LOUIS BLUES: Classical Music in the Jazz Age
SKYWARD MY PEOPLE ROSE: Music of William Grant Still
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Curator, AfroAmericanHeritage.com