The Classical Context blog series provides the nuanced details you need to better understand your favorite works and composers.
Florence Price (1887–1953) was a groundbreaking American composer, pianist, and teacher. She made history as the first African American woman to have her music performed by a major American orchestra. Her compositions blend European classical traditions with African American spirituals, folk music, and rhythms. Price’s story is one of extraordinary talent and resilience in the face of racial and gender discrimination.
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Florence Price showed musical promise from a young age. Her mother, a music teacher, gave her early lessons in piano, and she published her first composition at age 11. She went on to study at the New England Conservatory of Music, where she majored in piano and organ. Despite the racial barriers of the time, she graduated with honors.
In 1933, Price’s Symphony in E minor was performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, making her the first Black woman to have a symphony played by a major orchestra. The work features lush orchestration and draws on Black musical traditions, including call-and-response patterns, spiritual melodies, and rhythmic elements inspired by African dance.
The symphony was praised for its originality and depth. Price continued to compose large-scale works, including concertos, chamber music, choral pieces, and art songs. Her Piano Sonata in E minor and Five Folksongs in Counterpoint for string quartet are among her most celebrated chamber works.
Florence Price’s career unfolded during the Jim Crow era, when racism and sexism deeply limited opportunities for Black artists. During this time, laws in many parts of the country mandated racial segregation in schools, public facilities, and even performance venues, creating serious obstacles for Black musicians. She often signed her work “Florence Price” rather than “Florence B. Price” to avoid drawing attention to her gender. Despite her accomplishments, she struggled to get her music performed and published.
Yet Price remained active in musical circles, collaborating with prominent artists like Marian Anderson and winning national composition awards. She was part of a vibrant Black cultural community in Chicago, where she found support and inspiration.
After her death, much of Price’s music was forgotten. In 2009, a trove of her manuscripts was discovered in an abandoned house, sparking renewed interest in her work. Today, her music is performed by major orchestras around the world, and she is recognized as a vital voice in American classical music.
At Linton Chamber Music, we are proud to celebrate composers like Florence Price, whose music reflects a rich cultural heritage and a spirit of determination. Her compositions remind us of the power of music to overcome barriers and connect us across time and experience.
Join us in honoring Florence Price with a performance of her String Quartet No. 1 in G Major, one of her lost works rediscovered in 2009. This moving piece will be brought to life by the acclaimed New York Philharmonic String Quartet.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the brilliance of Florence Price in person. Purchase your tickets today and be part of a celebration of her enduring legacy.