When enjoying art, music, literature, etc., it’s so easy to get fixated on big names – the Picassos, Beethovens, or Dickens (Dickenses?). Over-indulgence of these big names often means little gems get overlooked. José Silvestre White Lafitte was an Afro-Cuban virtuoso violinist who left us only a few composed works. He lived a long life, traveled the world, and received accolades for his violin playing. Here is his “La Bella Cubana”, a habanera, which (likely) captures the sound of 19th century Cuba in a more authentic way than some more famous 20th century American examples.

The music is great. The video, however, changes camera angles  WAY too often. The piece ends at 5:45, and after that it’s a fade-out replay.

(3rd part in a series – the whole symphony will be played throughout the month)

William Grant Still was the first African-American to conduct a symphony orchestra as well as the first to have his symphonic music and operas played by a major orchestra. It’s no wonder he’s known as “the Dean” of African-American Composers.

Back when I was in college (music conservatory), a major component of American music history was finding a true American voice, distinct from European Art Music. Some composers simply copied the European style. Dvorak was convinced the American voice would come from the melodies of the Native Americans. Then there’s Copland‘s very popular “American” sound and style of composition (might Daugherty, whom we heard yesterday, be the next Copland?) And of course, there are the composers like Gershwin who adopted African-American styles as their own.

So where does that leave William Grant Still? His first symphony, “Afro-American”, is in four movements, and has more character than the Second New England School, all the richness of Dvorak’s “New World Symphony”, far more depth than any of Copland’s popular works, and can claim the African-American heritage better than Gershwin can. Everybody should know this music.

Like many symphonies, the second movement is slow and lyrical. Lush, jazz-inspired harmonies and blue-note melodies abound.

Without a doubt, African-American Spirituals are the most influential compositions in the history of American Art and popular music. From their influence on the 19th century songs of Stephen Foster and the like, to the explosion of Jazz, blues, and ultimately everything from Gershwin to Elvis to Motown, Madonna, and yes, even Justin Bieber. Originally the songs of slaves, this heartfelt music is rich with the full expression of human emotion. It was orally passed down through the years until the late 19th century, when composers like Harry T. Burleigh began to write it down and bring it into concert halls and churches. It continues to inspire and feed the hungry soul to this day.