“Here they grow in mountain depths. Far from any dwelling place. And no one comes to view their blooms” (from a poem by Japanese noble woman, poet, and author, Lady Sarashina). Ann Boyd, the first woman to be appointed as professor of music at the University of Sydney said in reflecting on those words: “It felt to me like it was the voice of all the women composers that had ever composed in the world before”. “They create great beauty but no one listens, no one hears, they don’t have a permanent place. And I felt one of them”. An ABC presenter introducing a programme for International Women’s Week on ABC FM a couple years ago took a more positive stand: “Throughout history people have said some very strange things to, and about, women in classical music. And for just as long, women have been doing incredible things anyway”.
It was with both those thoughts in mind that one of our sessions in March was given over to honour the music and the fortitude of women composers and musicians down through the ages and to showcase some of their wonderful music. You can read about and listen to just some their music as was presented to our group by clicking on the links below. For the record, the other March session featured works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Felix Mendelssohn, and Max Bruch – all of them male composers. But don’t let that put you off - it’s equally good and enjoyable music, too; and likewise, the links to the notes and recordings are posted below.
Bill Squire
Session Notes – 22nd March Women Composers
Fanny Mendelssohn - Overture in C
Hildegarde of Bingen - De Spiritu Sancto
Emilie Mayer - Piano Concerto in B flat major
Clara Schumann - Three Romances for Violin and Piano
Germaine Tailleferre - Sonata for Harp
Maddalene Lombardini-Sirman - Quartet No.3 Opus 2
Session Notes – 8th March
Additional Notes to Bruch's Scottish Fantasy
Rimsky-Korsakov - Russian Easter Festival Overture
Mendelssohn - 5th Symphony
Bruch - Scottish Fantasy
It was with both those thoughts in mind that one of our sessions in March was given over to honour the music and the fortitude of women composers and musicians down through the ages and to showcase some of their wonderful music. You can read about and listen to just some their music as was presented to our group by clicking on the links below. For the record, the other March session featured works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Felix Mendelssohn, and Max Bruch – all of them male composers. But don’t let that put you off - it’s equally good and enjoyable music, too; and likewise, the links to the notes and recordings are posted below.
Bill Squire
Session Notes – 22nd March Women Composers
Fanny Mendelssohn - Overture in C
Hildegarde of Bingen - De Spiritu Sancto
Emilie Mayer - Piano Concerto in B flat major
Clara Schumann - Three Romances for Violin and Piano
Germaine Tailleferre - Sonata for Harp
Maddalene Lombardini-Sirman - Quartet No.3 Opus 2
Session Notes – 8th March
Additional Notes to Bruch's Scottish Fantasy
Rimsky-Korsakov - Russian Easter Festival Overture
Mendelssohn - 5th Symphony
Bruch - Scottish Fantasy
