Notable Works
Symphony No. 1 in E Minor
Orchestra
Premiered in 1933, this groundbreaking symphony blends African-American spirituals with a Juba dance movement, marking the first by a Black woman performed by a major U.S. orchestra
Symphony No. 3 in C Minor
Orchestra
A mature work with lush orchestration and rich melodies, reflecting her evolution from her earlier symphonic style
Piano Concerto
Piano, Orchestra
A one-movement concerto featuring intricate piano passages, reconstructed to showcase Price’s technical prowess
Violin Concerto No. 2
Violin, Orchestra
A single-movement work infused with lyrical lines and themes inspired by the American South, completed in 1952
"I should like to be judged on merit alone"
"We are waking up to the fact...that we already have a folk music in the Negro spirituals—music which is potent, poignant, compelling. It is simple heart music and therefore powerful."
"I am poor at pushing publicity when it comes to myself."
The first African American woman to have a symphony performed by a major U.S. orchestra, earning critical acclaim for her Symphony in E Minor.
Composed over 300 works, blending African-American spirituals with European classical forms, influencing generations with her unique musical style and cultural contributions.
Won the 1932 Wanamaker Competition, securing national recognition and performances by major orchestras, cementing her legacy as a trailblazing American composer.
Continue learning about Florence Price
VIDEO BIOGRAPHY
ARTICLE BIOGRAPHY
VIDEO PERFORMANCE
LIST OF WORKS
Composition Style
Price’s music seamlessly blended African American spirituals, folk melodies, and rhythms with European classical structures, creating a distinctly American sound. Inspired by Dvořák’s use of folk themes, she reimagined spirituals like My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord and Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen into orchestral works such as Symphony in E Minor and Concert Overture on Negro Spirituals. Her incorporation of syncopated Juba dances—rooted in enslaved communities’ traditions—added lively, rhythmic vitality to pieces like her Third Symphony’s third movement.
Central to Price’s style was her emphasis on rhythm, which she described as a “compelling, onward-sweeping force” in African American music. Works like Fantasie Negre and Three Little Negro Dances showcase her use of syncopation, blues-inflected melodies, and jazz-inspired harmonies. Her Third Symphony juxtaposed Romantic-era orchestration with modernist turbulence, particularly in its blues-driven trombone solos and layered rhythmic textures.
Deeply influenced by her religious upbringing and heritage, Price infused spirituals with rich harmonic exploration and lyrical warmth. Pieces like Negro Folksongs in Counterpoint recontextualized traditional melodies through intricate counterpoint, while her piano sonatas and art songs balanced virtuosic flair with introspective depth. By centering Black musical idioms within classical forms, she challenged stereotypes and expanded the boundaries of American symphonic music.
Florence Price.
Discover the extraordinary story of Florence Price, the first African American woman to have her symphony performed by a major orchestra. Her music masterfully weaves classical traditions with the soul of African American spirituals, creating a timeless and inspiring legacy.
COMPOSER - PIANIST
ORGANIST - TEACHER