William Grant Still

Dismal Swamp

Atypical among William Grant Still's works, DISMAL SWAMP combines eerie effects and mysterious chromaticism in dramatic mixture with his more vernacular American elements to portray The Great Dismal Swamp. This swampland served as a temporary safe haven for runaway slaves en route to the North, as bounty hunters were unlikely to brave the dangerous terrain and wildlife in search of runaways. Composed in 1937, DISMAL SWAMP is scored for standard orchestra with a prominent piano part. This fascinating 13-minute work is within reach of all levels of orchestras, and a valuable addition to symphonic programming. A recording of the work is available at https://youtu.be/Ejvs6IrLsPw