Today, we highlight the bright and summery music of American Pianist and Composer, Florence Price (born in April 1887, died in 1953), in particular, her thrilling Symphony No.1 in E minor. Her orchestral score took home first prize in the symphonic category of the Rodman Wanamaker composition competition in 1932. The following year, Price became the first African American woman to have their music performed by a major symphonic ensemble when the Chicago Symphony performed this work.

In this work, Price calls upon multiple sources of inspiration from both the Western classical tradition and Black musical idioms. Most obvious is her replacement of the conventional third-movement scherzo with a Juba dance, but similarly the influence of African-American spirituals can be heard in many of the pentatonic themes used throughout the work. Enjoy this extract from the Symphony; dance-like welcome into our new term with this gorgeous music from Price!