TheSkanner.com: Metropolitan Youth Symphony in Florence Price's Symphony No. 1

Florence B. Price (1887-1953)

The Skanner

Portland and Seattle

03 May 2019

The Metropolitan Youth Symphony Brings the First Symphony by an African-American Woman Ever Performed in the US to Portland

Named for the pioneering African American composer Florence Price, “America’s Florence” is believed to be the West Coast Premiere of Florence’s "Symphony No. 1 in E minor," winner of the first place prize for an orchestral work in the progressive Rodman Wanamaker Competition of 1932. The Metropolitan Youth Symphony will present it at 7:30 p.m. May 21 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in downtown Portland.

Premiered the following year by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, this was the first symphony by an African-American woman ever to be performed by a major American orchestra. By marrying the finesse of her traditional, European style training with the raw and soulful qualities of African American folk music, Price charmingly and very effectively captured the spirit of an era in American history. In 2012, Bob McQuiston of NPR wrote that “this is an early American symphony worthy of being rediscovered.” His description reads: 

"The opening movement… recalls Dvorák's New World Symphony, while the following slow movement features a moving hymn tune of Price's design. Both concluding movements are fast and return to the juba dance concept. They contain hints of fiddles and banjos, antic slide whistle effects, and a recurring three-against-two melody which end this loveable work on a whimsical note." 

Also on the program is Price's vivid and playful “Dances in the Canebrakes,” which suggests a cakewalk, a rag, and a hot and languid summer soiree, all among the sugarcane. Originally composed for piano, this suite is orchestrated by William Grant Still, widely regarded as "the Dean of African American composers."