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The Naxos American Classics series continues its exploration of the music of Florence Price with this album of the Piano Concerto in One Movement and her two Violin Concertos; William Grant Still’s orchestration of her piano piece Dances in the Canebrakes completes the programme. Followers of Price’s resurgent profile might also note that her Abraham Lincoln Walks at Night and Song of Hope are scheduled for release in August.
Florence Beatrice PRICE (1887–1953)
Violin Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 *
Piano Concerto in One Movement **
Dances in the Canebrakes
Fanny Clamagirand, Violin *Han Chen, Piano **
Malmö Opera Orchestra
John Jeter
Florence Price reached her musical maturity in Chicago during the 1930s – the decade in which she made a famous debut with the city’s orchestra and produced two substantial concertos. The Piano Concerto in One Movement contains some of her most beautiful music set alongside moments of Romantic bravura. Violin Concerto No. 1 seems never to have been performed during her lifetime but is the most expansive of her concertos and is richly orchestrated. The later Violin Concerto No. 2 is a much more compact work, cast in one expressive movement. Dances in the Canebrakes, originally for piano, evokes 19th-century African American life, heard here in William Grant Still’s orchestration.
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Fanny Clamagirand has established herself as an artist and violinist of great distinction, acclaimed for the elegance of her playing and interpretations that blend sensitivity, authority and freedom. She has performed at prestigious venues and festivals internationally, and as a soloist with leading orchestras, including the Orchestre National de France, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna Philharmonic.
Gold Medallist at the 2013 China International Piano Competition and a prizewinner at the 2018 Honens International Piano Competition, Han Chen has been praised by Gramophone as ‘impressively commanding and authoritative’ and further cited by The New York Times for his ‘graceful touch … rhythmic precision … [and] hypnotic charm.’ He has appeared internationally, both as a soloist with leading orchestras and in recital.
John Jeter has been music director and conductor of the Fort Smith Symphony since 1997. He is the recipient of the Governor’s Award for Individual Artist of the State of Arkansas, the Helen M. Thompson Award presented by the League of American Orchestras, and the Mayor’s Achievement Award for services to the City of Fort Smith. He has guest conducted numerous orchestras in the US and Europe, and his music education programmes for schools reach up to 10,000 students annually.
Founded in 1991 the Malmö Opera Orchestra annually performs symphonic programmes, gala concerts and chamber recitals alongside its core work as an opera orchestra. The orchestra's several recordings include symphonic music and operatic repertoire. From 2015 to 2024 Leif Segerstam was the orchestra’s honorary conductor, having previously served as chief conductor. The orchestra’s musical director is Tecwyn Evans and Patrik Ringborg has been its principal guest conductor since 2022.
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