Product Description
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1887, Florence Price received early musical training from her mother, going on to study at the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music, graduating in 1906 with a Soloists Diploma in Organ Performance, and a Teachers Diploma in Piano Performance. After completing her degree, Price returned back to the south to teach music and after about 20 years, moved her family moved to Chicago to ultimately escape the racial tension in the south. It was here that she was able to properly establish herself as a concert pianist, organist and composer. She composed over 300 works, including 20 full orchestral pieces and over 110 art songs, many performed by leading American orchestras and esteemed vocalists. Price was the first African-American woman composer to earn national recognition. Seen as a pioneer among women, she was celebrated constantly for her achievements.
Composed in 1943, about 10 years before her death, 'The Oak' is an unpublished tone poem, perhaps more appropriately described as an 'orchestral essay', quite serious in tone and character. The foreboding opening slowly grows as more instruments enter the mix. The piece explores a number of different moods and atmospheres, from mysterious to more aggressive and irritated. Arranged for symphonic wind ensemble, 'The Oak' is a major contribution to the repertoire and deserves detailed attention - there are two different endings, the second, one that resolves quietly, is written in the score as 'the composer's preference'.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.