American Scene, The

From Wind Repertory Project
William Grant Still

William Grant Still (arr. by the composer; ed. Dane Teter)


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General Info

Year: 1957
Duration:
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: William Grant Still Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $250.00   |   Section Only (print) - $60.00


Sections

1. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – 6:13
2. New Orleans Street – 2:35
3. Berkshire Night – 3:40
4. Tribal Dance – 1:40


Instrumentation

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Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The American Scene, composed in 1957, consists of five suites for orchestra which depict life, scenery, and culture in various parts of the United States. The themes are original ones written in some of the American idioms. The work was commissioned by Adrian Michaelis for the Standard School Broadcasts. Some of the suites aired on the NBC Western Network from 1959 to 1960.

The excerpts for band were arranged by the composer.

Suite 1: The East is dedicated to Marjorie Lange. Berkshire Night is subtitled "Tranquility."

Suite 2: The South is dedicated to Miriam Matthews. A New Orleans Street is subtitled "The festie spirit of yesterday." The Creole idiom is employed to picture the festive spirit of Mardi Gras.

Suite 3: The Old West is dedicated to Joseph Portonova.

Suite 4: The Far West is dedicated to the Pasadena Interracial Woman's Club.

Suite 5: A Mountain, a Memorial, and a Song is dedicated to Mrs. Helen Thompson. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is subtitled "Our boys will never be forgotten." The subtitle of Grand Teton is "A symbol of America's strength."

- Program Note provided by Erica Neidlinger


Media

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State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Erica Neidlinger, personal correspondence, February 2018