Exploring the Violin Works of Florence Price

By Claire Allen: As we continue our celebration of Black composers here on Violinist.com and also mark the beginning of Women's History Month (we celebrate that all year round, too!), today I'm sharing some of my favorite pieces by Florence Price for violinists of every level. Florence Price (1887-1953) was an American composer who was born in Arkansas, studied at the New England Conservatory, and eventually lived and worked in Chicago. She was a pianist, organist, and composer who has the distinction of being the first Black woman to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra. (Her Symphony No. 1, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, in 1933.) In addition to two violin concertos, she also wrote a number of charming pieces for violin and piano that violinists of all ability levels can enjoy and perform. Here are a number of pieces by Florence Price that were either originally written for violin, or have been arranged for violin. I have ordered them from technically easiest to most difficult. I hope this provides you inspiration to explore her works! The Deserted Garden This is a gorgeous piece in D minor that can be played entirely in first position (though some second and third position can be fun) and is accessible to any violinist who can play low second and low first fingers. For teachers considering assigning this to students, it's wonderful for working on tone, character, and vibrato and would go beautifully anywhere above Suzuki Book 2.

• Get the sheet music: Music by Black Composers, Violin Volume 2

It can be played with piano accompaniment, or there is also a second violin part for a violin duo. Get the second violin part: Music by Black Composers: Violin Volume 2 (2nd Violin Accompaniment) (includes second-violin parts for all pieces in MBC Violin Volume 2)BELOW: "The Deserted Garden," performed by violinist Hannah White and pianist Matthew Hagle.Adoration This lyrical piece, originally written for organ, became globally known in 2020, as classical musicians looked to diversify their repertoire and find ways to connect while separated during the global pandemic. It can be played by violin, viola, or cello and piano and a string orchestra arrangement also exists. It could technically be played in all first position, but having other positions available to the violinist adds lots of options for tone color. The double-stops in the middle section add a little challenge, but could be simplified either by just playing the top notes or by playing it as an ensemble and dividing. For teachers, I would probably give the double-stop version to students at a Suzuki Book 6 level or higher, and the simplified version to students at a Book 4 level or higher.

• Get the sheet music: Schirmer edition

BELOW: Enjoy this beautiful performance by Augustin Hadelich, who actually plays piano as 37 violinists from around the world perform "Adoration."....and this one by Elena Urioste and pianist Tom Poster:Album Leaf, Jolly Jinks, and Little Cabin Lullaby I’m still getting to know these pieces, newly arranged for violin and piano, but these short character pieces would be a lovely addition to any concert program or teaching sequence. While they are all playable with just first and third position, players with more shifting facility have options for playing more complicated fingerings and for the alternate endings that go higher in some of the pieces. Album Leaf is slow and romantic, Jolly Jinks is cheerful and playful, and Little Cabin Lullaby is a charming lyrical piece.

• Get the music: Price, Selected Short Pieces (Sleepy Puppy Press)

BELOW: "Album Leaf," performed by violinist Cora Cooper and pianist Amanda Arrington.

BELOW: "Little Cabin Lullaby," performed by violinist Cora Cooper and pianist Amanda Arrington.

Elfentanz This delightful piece features a bouncy theme that alternates with more lyrical melodies throughout. The violinist will need to use both third and fifth positions and have good command of spiccato. There's also one triple-stop. It's included in the ABRSM curriculum at Level 7. I would give this to a student at a Suzuki Book 7 level or higher.

• Get the sheet music: Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Syllabus

Duo Klier has arranged a so this can be performed in its original form for violin and piano, or by two violins. Get the second violin part: Elfentanz Violin Duet (download)BELOW: "Elfentanz," performed by violinist Dawn Wohn and pianist Esther Park.Fantasie No. 1 This piece for advanced violinists opens with a quasi-cadenza in an improvisatory style before moving into a series of beautiful themes inspired by African-American spirituals. Violinists will need some double-stop experience as well as the three-octave G minor scale, fast string crossings, and some virtuosic flair.

• Get the sheet music: Schirmer edition

BELOW: Randall Goosby perform "Fantasie No. 1" with pianist Zhu Wang, from Goosby's 2021 album Roots. Please let me know in the comments: what Florence Price pieces have you played, if any? Are there others you would recommend, based on either playing or hearing them? Any pieces of hers for other instruments that you enjoy? I hope you have enjoyed exploring these pieces! You might also like:

• Exploring the Violin Works of Joseph Bologne
• Samuel Thompson Discusses the Rediscovered Florence Price Violin Concerto No. 1
• Interview with Violinist Randall Goosby: 'Roots' and African-American Music

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