Taos Soundscapes continues its annual Women’s History Month concert series with a program dedicated to two groundbreaking American composers, Florence Price and Amy Beach, on Saturday, March 8, at 3 p.m., and Sunday, March 9, at 3 p.m. These two pioneering women were among the first to have their symphonies performed by major orchestras and left a lasting impact on American classical music.
Florence Price (1887–1953) was a child prodigy from Little Rock, Arkansas, publishing her first piece at just 12 years old before studying at the New England Conservatory of Music. She later became a respected music professor and composer, a central figure in the Chicago music scene after fleeing the racial violence of the South in 1927. Her music blends European classical traditions with the rich, spiritual melodies of African American folk music, creating a deeply expressive and uniquely American sound. She was also a deeply religious composer, infusing the energy of gospel and church music into her works. In 1933, she became the first African American woman to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra, when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra premiered her Symphony No. 1 in E minor.
Amy Beach (1867–1944), a Boston-born pianist and composer, was one of the first American composers to achieve international success without studying in Europe. Her “Gaelic” Symphony, premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1896, was the first symphony composed and published by an American woman. Largely self-taught, Beach became a celebrated pianist, performing her own compositions in the United States and Germany. Though widely admired during her lifetime, her work, like Price’s, was neglected for decades before recent revivals brought it back into the spotlight.
The concert program will feature a selection of piano solos, chamber music, and vocal pieces, showcasing the breadth of these composers’ work. Performers for this concert include cellist and artistic director Rebecca Caron, violinist Ari Le, soprano Elizabeth Calvert, and pianist Claire Detels, all of whom have been integral to past Taos Soundscapes performances.
Taos Soundscapes concerts are known for their intimate, welcoming atmosphere, with refreshments served at intermission and an opportunity to mingle with the performers and fellow audience members. This year’s program promises to be a highlight of Women’s History Month, celebrating two remarkable women whose music continues to inspire.
Celebrating women in music at Wildflower Playhouse
Taos Soundscapes continues its annual Women’s History Month concert series with a program dedicated to two groundbreaking American composers, Florence Price and Amy Beach, Saturday, March 8, at 3 p.m., and Sunday, March 9, at 3 p.m.
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