September 13th

PRELUDE

This week's prelude is "Adoration," written by Florence B. Price.  Ms. Price is the first African-American woman whose work was performed by a major American orchestra.  Her “Symphony in e minor,” premiered by the Chicago Symphony in 1933 at the Chicago World’s Fair, is among more than 300 compositions for orchestra, choral ensembles, piano, organ, and chamber groups.  Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1887, Ms. Price studied piano and organ at the New England Conservatory of Music, and taught piano and organ at several Southern colleges, including Clark College in Atlanta. She continued to compose until her death in 1953. 

POSTLUDE

The postlude is "Postlude in f minor," composed by Luise Adolpha Le Beau (1850 - 1927).  Ms. Le Beau, who  lived in Germany, wrote her first composition at the age of 8, and made her debut as a concert pianist when she was 18. She wrote for piano, string soloists and ensembles, and choral groups, and her works include an oratorio entitled "Ruth – Biblical Scenes for Soloists, Chorus, and Orchestra.” Among her teachers was Joseph  Rheinberger, a noted organ composer.  Ms. Le Beau also was a music critic.