Works by Price, Coleman and Jessie Montgomery (CD)

“This has to be one of the most assured and exiting recording debuts from a youth orchestra since the West-Eastern Divan and Simon Bolivars hit the ground running. There’s a wonderful sheen and polish to the sound, ensemble is nigh-on immaculate and the young New Yorkers revel in Price’s juba rhythms and inventive scoring in both works.” — Presto Music

The New York Youth Symphony makes its recording debut with music by Florence Price, Valerie Coleman and Jessie Montgomery. With remarkable resilience, the musicians’ first studio album brought them together during the COVID pandemic to celebrate the 115th anniversary of Price’s birth.

Both works by Florence Price receive premiere recordings — Ethiopia’s Shadow in America is the first recording of the work by an American orchestra; her Piano Concerto in One Movement, with pianist Michele Cann, is the premiere recording of the composer’s newly-discovered original orchestration. Also in its premiere recording is Grammy-nominated flutist Valerie Coleman’s Umoja, a work originally written for women’s choir and transformed into a lush, orchestral work for the occasion.

2022 Grammy® Award, Best Orchestral Performance

Price Ethiopia’s Shadow in America
Michael Repper conductor
New York Youth Symphony

Coleman Umoja: Anthem of Unity
Michael Repper conductor
New York Youth Symphony

Price Piano Concerto in One Movement
Michael Repper conductor
Michelle Cann piano
New York Youth Symphony

Montgomery Soul Force
Michael Repper conductor
New York Youth Symphony

Discs: 1
Record Label: Avie
Release Date: April 8, 2022