Symphony No. 3 (Still) Explained

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.

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 relaxed dance the day ends happily waiting for the new day." Overall, the music expresses the composer's religious beliefs, "each day being a new opportunity to serve the creator".

Movements

The symphony is in four movements as follows:

See also

• List of jazz-influenced classical compositions

Further reading

• Book: Still, Judith Anne . William Grant Still: A Voice High-Sounding . 1990 . The Master-Player Library . Flagstaff, Arizona . 1-877873-15-2 . 1.

Notes and References

1. Book: Soll, Beverly . I Dream a World: The Operas of William Grant Still . 2005 . University of Arkansas Press . 978-1-55728-789-2 . en.
2. Web site: Staff . History of the Symphony - A journey through history through music - Still . spanish . 2021 . Historiadelasinfonia.es . January 29, 2021 .
3. News: Hitt . Jen . Harpstead . Ella . The Dean Of African-American Composers Didn’t Think He’d Be Remembered: William Grant Still At 125 . October 22, 2020 . . January 29, 2021 .