Feminist in the Concert Hall
New Beginnings!
After an unexpected and far too lengthy hiatus, Feminist in the Concert Hall is back for the New Year. And what better way to start than with great news from the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. I posted last year about the changes that the ensemble was going to have...
Opening Night at the Boston Symphony
-- Hey, I haven't worn a sandwich-board since the VPO protest of 1999! A lot of fun! My sign reads: BSO, why are women composers excluded? 2011-2012: 70 pieces by 32 composers— ALL of them MEN. Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy www.wophil.org Sign our mailing list! And...
Longevity in Orchestral Positions
In this time of strife for orchestral musicians, it is refreshing to remember just how dedicated many have been throughout their careers. Norman Lebrecht posted on his blog a “near-definitive” list of the longest serving orchestral musicians. While it will surely...
Happy Birthday, Nadia Boulanger!
Today is the 124th birthday of composer, conductor, and educator Nadia Boulanger. I was actually reminded of this on my morning commute by my local independent radio station, WDIY, who did a birthday tribute to Nadia by playing works of some of her most famous pupils....
Happy Birthday, Alma Mahler
Today is the 132nd birthday of Alma Mahler. Though she is often remembered as the wife of Gustav, her own career as a musician and composer is neglected. Alma studied piano from an early age and took composition lessons with Josef Labor and Alexander von Zemlinsky....
Thoughts on Beauty in Classical Music
I had been trying to put together some thoughts about the way women who perform classical music are viewed/described by the media, long before Yuja Wang made her controversial Hollywood Bowl appearance. And after sifting through dozens of articles and critiques, I...