Miniatures (Still)

Miniature is a musical composition in five movements composed in 1948 by American composer William Grant Still.[1] The composition was originally created for trio (flute, oboe, and piano) and was later, in 1963, arranged for quintet (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet and horn).[2]:250 The composition is about twelve minutes long.

William Grant Still in 1949, photographed by Carl Van Vechten

Overview

The work was dedicated to Sir John and Lady Barbirolli: “This suite is based on folk songs of the Americas, and is a souvenir of the visit to America of Sir John and Lady Barbirolli, and of the many friends made by them during their stay.”[3]

According to the Staff of the International Opus, the composition is well described as follows:

[William Grant] Still broke many barriers during his career, including being the first African-American composer to write orchestral works and have them performed by major symphony orchestras, as well as being the first conductor of color to lead a major American symphony. His musical style incorporates a variety of African-American styles, from spirituals to blues and jazz, in addition to European, Latin American, and other folk music genres. ... Miniatures aired on N.P.R.'s Performance Today and performed at the Kennedy Center, the five contrasting movements display a variety of Afro, Anglo, Latino and Native American musical styles; I Ride An Old Paint (Cowboy Song - U.S.A.), Adolorido (Mexico), Jesus Is A Rock In The Weary Land (Spiritual, bluesy clarinet solo - U.S.A.), Yaravi (Peru) and A Frog Went A-Courtin’ (U.S.A.).[4]

— Staff, International Opus

Movements

The work is in five movements as follows:

  1. I Ride an Old Paint (Cowboy Song - U.S.A.)
  2. Adolorido (Mexico)
  3. Jesus Is A Rock In The Weary Land (Spiritual, U.S.A.)
  4. Yaravi (Peru)
  5. Frog Went a-Courting (U.S.A.)

See also

References
  1. Soll, Beverly (2005). I Dream a World: The Operas of William Grant Still. University of Arkansas Press. ISBN 978-1-55728-789-2.
  2. Horne, Aaron (1996). Brass Music of Black Composers: A Bibliography. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-313-29826-4.
  3. Staff (January 23, 2021). "William Grant Still (1895-1978) - African American Composer, Arranger, Conductor & Oboist - Dean of African American Composers". AfriClassical.com. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  4. Staff (2021). "William Grant Still - Miniatures". Internatonal Opus. Retrieved January 26, 2021.

Further reading
  • Still, Judith Anne (1990). William Grant Still: A Voice High-Sounding (1 ed.). Flagstaff, Arizona: The Master-Player Library. ISBN 1-877873-15-2.
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