These seven songs on texts of African American poets are milestones in the modern Florence Price movement, Black art song, and twentieth-century song generally. Based on poems by Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Melvin B. Tolson, and John H. Owens, they deal with topics including a courtship and romance among working-class Black folk, maternal love and longing, and the sources of artistic inspiration. Their style ranges from almost operatic drama through musical theater to the profound intimacy that is the special domain of art song. The composer shared the four Dunbar songs with the great contralto Marian Anderson (a friend), and submitted Brown Arms to the Wanamaker Competition in 1931 or 1932. This volume, based on Florence Price’s autographs, marks the songs’ world-premiere publication.  Scored in original keys for medium voice.

Contents:

Brown Arms (To Mother), Four Negro Songs (Easy-goin', Summah Night, Dat's My Gal or The Photograph, Goo'-Bye Jinks), Lullaby, and My Soul and I.