William Grant Still, Incantation and Dance (1941)

Abstract This chapter explores the musical work of William Grant Still (1895–1978), with a focus on his composition, Incantation and Dance for oboe and piano (1941). Positioned within the nexus of American Modernism, American Nationalism, and the Harlem Renaissance, Still drew on his multicultural background and experiences of racial segregation to shape his notion of a “universal idiom.” The chapter discusses the cultural and historical factors that influenced Still’s work, revealing a sophisticated blend of various cultural traditions. The analysis of Incantation and Dance demonstrates Still’s innovative use of harmonic and rhythmic elements, notably his incorporation of the blues scale, call-and-response structures, and avant-garde dissonance. Additionally, this chapter considers how Still drew on his “universal idiom” to contribute to the development of “authentic American voices,” within the modernist movement, and highlights Still’s contributions to American music and broader cultural discourse.