News and music to start your week!
Congratulations go to Terrance Blanchard (pictured above), the first Black composer to have a work performed at the Metropolitan Opera. His work, Fire Shut Up In My Bones, opens tonight! The New York Times talks to Blanchard about this opportunity and his career that led him to this point – as well as the 138 year history that has neglected Black voices until this moment. NPR also covers the story here.
Joshua Kosman writes for the San Fransisco Datebook about the one-name treatment of composers. Why is Beethoven just “Beethoven”, and only Robert gets to be “Schumann” instead of Clara? It’s an issue that comes up regularly — here’s a take from last year on Slate ….
NPR shares the story and an interview with an 107-year-old-pianist who continues to record and release albums. Colette Maze has lived an astounding life, embracing a career in music as a profession at a point in time in which it was an unheard path for women to successfully pursue. Her story is a great reminder of the obstacles that needed to be overcome, just a few decades ago – and the distance we have yet to go. Listen to the interview below:
The 2022 Calls for Participation for the Women Composers Festival of Hartford have been extended to October 8th! Learn more on their website as to how to submit a score, scholarly presentation, or performance for their March 2022 conference!
The Rochester Philharmonic orchestra offers a streaming chamber music concert “Truth Is of No Color: Celebrating Women’s Equality,” features music by leading American women composers Jennifer Higdon, Caroline Shaw, Missy Mazzioli, Florence Price, and Jessie Montgomery. The concert also features moving dialogue about the local YWCA and its role in lifting up women and working for justice. It is available for free viewing through October 17th.
What did we miss? What are you reading? Drop us a line and let us know: [email protected]