Symphony No. 3 (Still)

Symphony No. 3, also known as Symphony No. 3 "The Sunday Symphony", is a 1958 composition in four movements by American composer William Grant Still.[1] The work was first performed on February 12, 1984 by the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra conducted by Carlton Woodsi.[2][3] The symphony is about eighteen minutes long.

William Grant Still in 1949, photographed by Carl Van Vechten

Overview

Symphony No. 3 is a programmatic work that depicts the Sunday life of “a devout worshipper”. Composed in four movements, "with titles suggesting the activities carried out on a typical Sunday, from waking up to the end of the day. A joyous first movement as an optimistic start to the holiday, followed by prayer. After a relaxing dance the day ends happily waiting for the new day."[2] Overall, the music expresses the composer's religious beliefs, "each day being a new opportunity to serve the creator".[2]

Movements

The symphony is in four movements as follows:

  1. The Awakening. Moderately fast
  2. Prayer. Very slowly
  3. Relaxation. Gaily
  4. Day's End and a New Beginning. Resolutely

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. Staff (2021). "History of the Symphony - A journey through history through music - Still". Historiadelasinfonia.es (in Spanish). Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  3. Hitt, Jen; Harpstead, Ella (October 22, 2020). "The Dean Of African-American Composers Didn't Think He'd Be Remembered: William Grant Still At 125". CPR Classical Radio. Retrieved January 29, 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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