This Friday, the halls of the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music will resonate with the long-overlooked melodies of Florence Price, the first African-American woman to gain national recognition as a symphonic composer. Under the direction of Dr. Rafael Rodriguez, the University Symphony Orchestra presents “We Dance!”, a concert dedicated to celebrating diverse musical voices and bringing Price’s compositions back into the spotlight.
A Legacy Unearthed
Florence Price’s journey is as compelling as her music. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1887, she grew up in a middle-class family that valued education and the arts. Facing the harsh realities of the Jim Crow South, her family joined the Great Migration to Chicago, seeking better opportunities and an environment where Price’s talents could flourish.
Educated at the New England Conservatory of Music, one of the few institutions that admitted African-American students at the time, Price mastered both the organ and the piano. She became a versatile musician, even playing the organ in silent film theaters—a testament to her adaptability and passion for music.
Despite her early successes, Price’s work fell into obscurity after her death in 1953. It wasn’t until 2009 that a significant collection of her manuscripts was discovered in an abandoned house, reigniting interest in her extensive body of work that includes over 300 compositions: symphonies, concertos, choral pieces, art songs, and chamber music.
Blending Traditions
Price’s music is a rich tapestry that weaves together Romantic classical traditions with the rhythms and melodies of African-American spirituals, blues, and jazz. She didn’t merely compose music; she crafted an authentically American sound that reflected the diverse cultural landscape of the United States.
In the PBS documentary “Florence Price and the American Migration,” musician Scott Yoo remarks, “Florence Price gave us the first truly American classical music. Based in the Romantic tradition, but influenced by the music of Black America—the spirituals, gospel, blues, and jazz that shaped the popular music of all America.”
A Historic Achievement
One of Price’s most significant accomplishments was her Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, composed in 1931. The piece won a national competition and was performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the 1933 World’s Fair. Price was invited on stage for multiple curtain calls—a profound moment considering she stood before an orchestra of 100 white men in an era of deep racial segregation.
Critics praised her work effusively:
•“It’s a faultless work.”
•“It is a work that speaks its own message with restraint and yet with passion.”
•“Miss Price’s symphony is worthy of a place in the symphonic repertory.”
The Concert: A Tribute and Celebration
The upcoming concert at the University of Memphis is more than a performance; it’s a tribute to Price’s enduring legacy and a celebration of cultural diversity in music. The program includes:
•“Vals Leda” by Julio Fonseca (1881–1950), a Costa Rican composer known for blending Latin American rhythms with classical forms.
•“Dances in the Canebrakes” by Florence Price, orchestrated by William Grant Still:
•I. Nimble Feet
•II. Tropical Noon
•III. Silk Hat and Walking Cane
•“Huapango” by José Pablo Moncayo (1912–1958), a piece that captures the vibrant spirit of Mexican folk dance.
•Symphony No. 6 in D Major, Op. 60 by Antonín Dvořák, a composer who, like Price, integrated folk elements into classical music.
Personal Reflections
Ann Walton Sieber, a student musician in the orchestra, shares her excitement: “Embedded into these Romantic idioms, you hear music of America and of Black America. You just hear folk music, and it’s just mixed in.”
She adds, “Price showed the way for an American music which blends American idioms from spirituals and blues with the German, French, and Italian romantic traditions.”
Event Details
•Date: Friday, October 4, 2024
•Time: 7:30 PM
•Location: University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music
•Admission: Free (Parking gate code: 06874#)
For more information, visit the University of Memphis School of Music events calendar.
A Renewed Appreciation
The resurgence of interest in Florence Price’s work is a reminder of the rich, diverse narratives that have shaped American music. As audiences rediscover her compositions, Price finally receives the recognition she has long deserved.
Join the University Symphony Orchestra for an evening that not only honors a pioneering composer but also celebrates the fusion of cultures that defines the American musical landscape.
Explore more about Florence Price’s life and legacy in the PBS documentary “Florence Price and the American Migration”.
