Florence Price

Donald Macleod uncovers the story and prolific output of American
composer Florence Price.


Florence Price became a highly successful classical composer,
organist, pianist and teacher of music during the twentieth
century in America. She was the first African-American woman to
be recognised as a composer of symphonic music, and also the
first African-American woman to have her works performed by one
of the world’s leading orchestras. In collaboration with the Arts
and Humanities Research Council, BBC Radio 3 launched the
Forgotten Women Composers Project. Championed by the composer and
educator Shirley Thompson, Florence Price became a particular
focus for the project. Scores by Florence Price were located and
recorded by BBC Orchestras and Choirs. It will be the first time
Florence Price has been featured on Composer of the Week, and the
series is supplemented by many specially recorded works. Over the
course of the episode, we’ll hear about the impact racial
prejudice and marriage had on her life and career, her battles
for recognition, ultimate fame, and her prolific output, despite
health issues late in life.


Music featured: The Deserted Garden Sonata in E minor (Andante –
Allegro) Suite for Organ No 1 (Fughetta and Air) The Oak Violin
Concerto No 2 My Dream Cotton Dance The Old Boatman The Moon
Bridge My Soul’s been anchored in the Lord Symphony No 1 in E
minor Song for Snow Sinner Don’t Let This Harvest Pass Poem of
Praise Piano Concerto in D minor Dances in the Canebrakes Suite
for Organ No 1 (Toccata) Sonata in E minor (Andante) Sympathy The
Glory of the day was in her face Resignation Symphony No 3 The
Goblin and the Mosquito Concert Overture No 2 Five Folksongs in
Counterpoint (Drink to me only with thine eyes) Night My Soul’s
Been Anchored in the Lord Violin Concerto No 1 in D major


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC
Wales


For full tracklistings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Florence Price
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000fwf0


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z