Donald Macleod explores how Florence Price's health affected her career during her final years.
Florence Price became a highly successful classical composer, organist, pianist and teacher of music during the 20th 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.
In her final decade, Florence Price continued to be a prolific composer and teacher of music. At one time, when she was living in the Abraham Lincoln Centre in Chicago, she had more than a hundred students. In 1940, Price was honoured at a convention by Marian MacDowell for her professional achievements and commitment to the cause of black music, and a decade later, Price’s fame had spread abroad, with Sir John Barbirolli requesting a concert overture for the Hallé Orchestra to perform. It was around this time that Price started to plan a trip to Europe. Due to poor health, she was unable to attend the premiere with the Hallé. Price did however plan another trip to Europe with a friend, but before they were set to embark on a ship, Price went into hospital and later died.
The Goblin and the Mosquito
Michael Lewin, piano
Concert Overture No 2
BBC Concert Orchestra
Jane Glover, conductor
Five Folksongs in Counterpoint (Drink to me only with thine eyes)
Apollo Chamber Players
Night
Pamela Dillard, mezzo-soprano
Vivian Taylor, piano
My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord
Pamela Dillard, mezzo-soprano
Vivian Taylor, piano
Violin Concerto No 1 in D major
Er-Gene Kahng, violin
Janacek Philharmonic
Ryan Cockerham, conductor
Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Wales. Show less