'So let’s hear it for Florence Price, who really is the gutsy and substantial composer that everyone thought she would be.'

[Florence B. Price and Manuscript]

Earlier today, AfriClassical posted: “Columbia Chronicle: 'Florence Price reborn; Local composer’s work found after more than 70 years.'” It discussed Suzanne Flandreau's discovery of two manuscripts of compositions of Florence B. Price, whose works are compiled at AfriClassical.com by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma. Suzanne Flandreau has been moved to offer her own account of the discovery, which she has made available to us:

“I just opened the envelope--but I did know what that manuscript meant when I saw it. We have Cheryl Wall to thank for knowing its importance and sending it on to us.

“Our manuscript version is for three pianos. Price may have arranged it to perform at music clubs and schools. It belonged to Cheryl’s aunt, Nannie Strayhorn Reid, a Chicago piano teacher. (I like to think she played one of the accompanying pianos, with Price as soloist.) There are two other known two-piano versions (both privately held) and one of them has the orchestra instrumentation noted. The original score and parts are still unlocated, but Trevor Weston, who reconstructed the concerto, told me that our version was helpful to determine voice leadings. So his reconstruction will be recorded in a week or so. Karen Walwyn is the piano soloist.

“Our New BMRE performed the concerto with Karen at our Black Prism concert in February. It’s a very exciting piece and could easily enter the general repertoire. It would be a welcome change from Rhapsody in Blue, which has been over-performed for lack of anything similar! The Symphony No. 1 in E Minor is also historic (as Vanessa points out) but ours will be the first commercial recording. It is also an exciting piece that deserves to be heard and generally performed. So let’s hear it for Florence Price, who really is the gutsy and substantial composer that everyone thought she would be.”

Suzanne Flandreau

Head Librarian and Archivist

Center for Black Music Research

Columbia College Chicago

600 S. Michigan Ave.

Chicago, IL 60605

Telephone: 312-369-7346

Fax: 312-369-8029

http://www.colum.edu/cbmr

http://www.facebook.com/centerforblackmusicresearch

http://twitter.com/cbmrccc

CBMR & Chicago Jazz Ensemble Present 'Listening Sessions, Sounds of 1959' 4-6 PM Saturday, Dec. 5

[Jon Faddis]

Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma is former Director of the CBMR. He sends us this invitation to an event it is co-sponsoring:

“The Chicago Jazz Ensemble with Artistic Director Jon Faddis and the Center for Black Music Research at Columbia College Chicago invite you to join us for
Listening Sessions, Sounds of 1959

This special event is hosted by CJE Music Director Dana Hall at the Jazz Showcase. Hall will be joined by Peter Margasak, music critic for the Chicago Reader and Leonard Brown, composer, arranger, and saxophonist. The panel will talk about the year 1959 in jazz and culture as well as play records produced in and around 1959. The session is casual and interactive and will include an opportunity to ask questions. You can even bring your own records!
Saturday, December 5th
Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court
4 p.m.–6 p.m.
http://www.jazzshowcase.com
Students FREE
General Public $5