Five Folksongs in Counterpoint

• Florence Price’s manuscript for this suite is dated 1951. However, the work went through several versions, and according to Price scholar Rae Linda Brown, it may have been begun as early as 1927.¹
• This work is not to be confused with Price’s similar work for string quartet, Negro Folksongs in Counterpoint (c. 1947). Each work is based on a different set of folk songs.²

“No. 1 is based upon the Negro spiritual “Calvary.” (Southern USA) 

No. 2 is based upon “Clementine,” a ballad which became a favorite during the Reconciliation period. It was popular in San Francisco, California near the end of the 19th century and is often sung now-a-days by college and community groups. 

No. 3 “Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes” was sung by settlers on the Eastern coast of America before the days of the American Revolution…the words of which were written by Ben Johnson in 1616 and sung to a tune of unknown origin as early as 1770, included in this group is now regarded as a folk song, and is authoritatively included in published volumes of folk songs. 

No. 4 Several folk songs 

No. 5 “Swing Low Sweet Chariot.” Well-known and one of the best-loved of American Negro folk tunes.” 

Florence B. Price³

1. Rae Linda Brown, ”Five Folksongs in Counterpoint: Program Note by Dr. Rae Linda Brown,” (SMP Press, 2005).
2. Paul Laraia, ”Album Notes,” Uncovered Vol. 2: Florence Price, Catalyst Quartet, Michelle Cann, Azica 71346, CD, 2022.
3. “Five Folksongs in Counterpoint: Composer Note,” Wise Music Classical, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/work/58898/Five-Folksongs-in-Counterpoint–Florence-Price/.