We welcome March, with the return of Spring, longer hours of sunlight and warm breezes! 'Women's History' is often observed this month, where we highlight the contributions of women musicians and composers. This month we have included the stunning piece, "Adoration" by Florence Price.
Born in Arkansas in 1887, Florence was nurtured musically by her mother, (Florence Irene Smith,) a pianist and music teacher, who tutored her daughter at a very young age. When she was just four years old, young Florence performed in her first recital. She published her first compositions by the age of eleven, graduated high school when she was fourteen, and went on to continue her studies in organ, piano and composition at the New England Conservatory of Music. After a brief return to Arkansas and then Georgia to head the department of music at Clark University, Florence lost her father to illness, and her mother to abandonment. She married Thomas Price in 1912, had two daughters, and moved with her family to Chicago, where she, "...began a new and fulfilling period in her composition career; {becoming} part of the Chicago Black Renaissance creative movement of the 1930's and 40's." During this time she taught piano, continued her musical studies, and started publishing some of her own piano pieces, while also writing and selling jingles and pop tunes for radio, and working as an organist in theaters and in churches. In 1932 Price won awards in the Wannamaker Foundation composition competition for her Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, and for her Piano Sonata in E Minor. This new recognition, '...established Price's career and reputation as a composer and arranger,' and as, 'the first African American woman composer to have a symphony premiered by a major American orchestra.' (Britannica) Price went on to compose three more symphonies, concertos, many choral and orchestral pieces, art songs, and numerous works for piano and organ, of which "Adoration" was originally intended.
As a person of faith, Florence Smith Price had been accustomed to church music, and much of her work is known to have been influenced by the folk melodies and rhythmic elements of African American Spirituals.
"Adoration" was originally written as an organ piece to be played for church services, and was later arranged for violin.
If you would like to learn this piece, the sheet music is included here. We encourage you to listen to and observe violinist Dr. Nicole Wright play this music with heartfelt expression. You might wish to allow any thoughts, feelings and impressions behind the title, 'Adoration,' guide your practice and playing.
For those of you watching and listening, we have included a journaling page to inspire you to direct your attention to the sounds created through this music. Are there feelings, images or memories that come to mind when listening? Can you hear any aspects of the meaning in the word, 'Adoration' ('deep love', 'respect', 'care'...) moving through the tones of this piece? Can you imagine the composer's intention expressed in these phrases? Is there a place in this piece that resonates with you? Are there physical movements that might accompany your experience with this piece? Please jot down whatever comes to mind, with the hope that this time, with this music, will offer you a space for some gentle reflection for your heart, mind and soul...
Additional performances of 'Adoration' and other works by Florence Beatrice Price:
Nova Orchestra - Randall Goosby - Augustin Hadelich - Wind Orchestra/Wilfred Laurier University - Barclay Brass
Symphony No1. in E Minor - Symphony No. 3 in C Minor - Symphony No.4 in D Minor, Andante Cantabile - String Quartet No. 4 Andante Moderato
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