Female Composers??

[Ouled Nails]

I guess that news from Russia do not always travel very fast in the western media. I am learning today (1-2-2007) of the death of Galina Ustvolskaya on 12-22-2006, at the age of 87. She studied with Shostakovich, among others, in the late 1930's and after World War II, until 1947. She then taught composition in Leningrad. Along with Gubaidulina and Firsova, she represents a leading female composer in the mid- to late-twentieth century USSR. Her piano music, indeed, her work in general is notable for its condensed expression: intense, bold, even violent. She was another individual who developed her own style and who stayed independent from the compositional trends of her time. Galina Ustvolskaya was not the most prolific of composers. Her opus includes five symphonies, six piano sonatas and other piano works, such as her 12 preludes, some symphonic poems and suites and quite a bit of chamber music. May she rest in peace.

[Sybarite]

Grace Williams is mentioned in the Wikipedia list that Rojo supplied. The BBC Music magazine a couple of months ago included her Ballad of Orchestra on a CD with Benjamin Britten's Plymouth Town. Very interesting.

It's the same situation as with the bulk of the rest of the arts and other areas of cultural life – women have not had the chance to be successful or otherwise.

We make progress, albeit slowly; a point that's illustrated by just how recently it is that women have been allowed to play in many major orchestras (the Vienna Philharmonic, for instance, only allowed women to join in 1997).

[Ouled Nails]

For her to turn down the Order of the British Empire she must have felt very strongly about her marginalization within the profession. I have not read an extended biography on Ustvolskaya but I understand that she lived very much in reclusion and, when asked if her music was much tributary to Shostakovich's, she repeatedly asserted that being the student of a great master was not synonymous to becoming his follower in composition.

Cryptic message to Sybarite: Thank you!

[Sybarite]

For her to turn down the Order of the British Empire she must have felt very strongly about her marginalization within the profession.

The Wikipedia article doesn't make it clear, but that could be the case or it could be that she didn't believe in the British honours system (other people have refused gongs for that reason).

By the way, Sybarite, I note that you have revised your message. I wish I knew how! Please tell!!

Just hit the 'edit' button that's just below your post, make the changes you want and then hit 'save'.

[Wunderhorn]

Nadia Boulanger
Clara Schumann

These women were both fine composers, and their have been many more in the 20th century, I'm sure. I personally would like to hear a women's symphony!

[rojo]

Me too. So I had a little look around.

Amy Beach wrote a 'Gaelic' Symphony, which got performed by the Boston S.O., so I fugure it can`t be bad.

Libby Larsen, an American composer, wrote five of them, apparently. Haven`t heard any of them. Yet...

[Ouled Nails]

Hello Wunderhorn. Amy Beach (U.S., 1867-1944) wrote a symphony called the "Gaelic Symphony" which has been recorded on a widely found commercial label. The interesting Nadia Boulanger, on the other hand, was so affected by the youthful death of her sister, Lilli Boulanger (1893-1918) that Nadia stopped composing and never exceeded the short opus of her dead sister. But Nadia Boulanger's greatest achievements, other than being the first woman to conduct a symphony orchestra, in London, were mainly pedagogical. Her students include Aaron Copland, Roy Harris, Walter Piston and numerous other famous composers.Her sister, Lilli, was the first woman to win the Prix de Rome, for a cantata. Her music, somewhat impressionistic, always very poetic, has also been recorded on several labels. Good luck in your search!

[Ouled Nails]

I see that rojo and I are on the same wave length!

[rojo]

Apparently, lol!

[Art Rock]

Amy Beach' Gaelic symphony and Libby Larsens Water Music symphony are both well worth hearing!
Gubaidulina and Ustvolskaya are amongst the best late 20th century composers in my opinion.

[Kromme]

Dame Ethel Smith is one of the greatest woman composers.Her music was even championed by Sir Thomas Beecham who did not have very favourable views about in classical music

[Kromme]

Dame Ethel Smith is one of the greatest woman composers.Her music was even championed by Sir Thomas Beecham who did not have very favourable views about women in classical music

That is what i tried to post earlier

[mm75]

Emma Kodály. I don't know her oeuvre (mostly piano pieces and Lieds), but now I feel like getting acquainted with it.

[Krummhorn]

Pamela Decker, American composer and organist here in the Southwestern US. She is also Assoc Professor of Organ/Music Theory at the University of Arizona.

[Nullifidian]

Nadia Boulanger
Clara Schumann

These women were both fine composers, and their have been many more in the 20th century, I'm sure. I personally would like to hear a women's symphony!

Go search out the symphonies of Louise Farrenc. You'll be glad you did.