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Nina Sosanya explores how composer Florence Price overcame prejudice to proudly forefront her identity as an African-American woman in her music.

Florence Price was a brilliant young musician and composer. But as an African-American woman growing up in early 20th-century America, she was also doubly disenfranchised - so much so that her mother would advise her to hide her racial heritage and 'pass' as a white woman. But when Florence went to Chicago, everything changed - as an extraordinary community helped her take pride in who she was both personally and musically. Nina Sosanya tells the story of the ground-breaking premiere of Price’s First Symphony in 1933 - the first symphony by a woman to be performed by a major American orchestra, and the culmination of a set of experiences that changed her life for ever.

In Facing The Music, we experience the human drama behind some of the most extraordinary classical music ever written - told by legendary figures of stage and screen including Toby Jones, Maxine Peake, Andrew Lincoln and Don Warrington. Ten episodes explore the human frailties, obsessions, emotions and vulnerabilities we all experience, and the composers who confronted them - to create extraordinary music that would stand the test of time. In each episode we hear from creatives, psychologists and other experts to understand what we can all learn from their hopes, their struggles and their music.

This episode is narrated by Nina Sosanya and features contributions from opera singer Janine De Bique, author Kelly McWilliams and psychologist Dr Roberta Babb. The programme is written and produced by Hannah Dean.

Facing The Music is an Overcoat Media production for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sounds and ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3
The series is written and produced by Hannah Dean, Leonie Thomas, Gareth Ceredig, Katie Hill and Barney Rowntree – with additional production from Melvin Rickarby
Original Music: Peter Gregson
Sound Design and Mixing: Mike Woolley, with additional mixing by John Scott
Executive Producer: Steven Rajam
Production Management: Amy Wheel and Janice Jardine