Though she is often remembered as the only female member of Les Six, the history books often neglect the life and work of Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983) beyond that point. French by birth, she changed her name from Taillefesse to Tailleferre as a young woman in...
Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s day – so why not listen to some music that was inspired by celtic roots? The first to come to mind is Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony: But not to be neglected is Margaret Ruthven Lang’s “Irish Love Song”: And while you listen to some...
Today is the 346th birthday of Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre. Born in Paris March 17, 1665, was a child prodigy who, at the age of five, gave a harpsichord concert for King Louis XIV. She continued as a court musician until her marriage in 1684, but continued to give...
As I mentioned at the beginning of this month, every month is Women’s History Month at WPA, as it is in every feminist community. There are many concerns and mixed feelings about what it means to separate one month for the recognition of one group – and...
Pauline Viardot, like many other women featured this month, was fortunate to be born into a musical family. Born in Paris in 1821, Viardot (nee Garcia) has Spanish ancestry. Her parents were opera singers and fostered her talents as a singer, though she was also a...
