The Chicago Sinfonietta is facing a changing of the guard this season. Maestro Paul Freeman, who founded the ensemble in 1987, is retiring from the group, leaving the baton in the hands of Mei-Ann Chen. Chen’s reputation and qualifications leave no doubt that the...
The point that many long-standing European music traditions exclude women is not news. Neither is the fact that blatantly sexist practices continue, in small or large ways, to this day. Anyone who has ever followed the Vienna Philharmonic can attest to that. However,...
I will finish the WPA tribute to historic female composers by remembering the life and music of Vítězslava Kaprálová (1915-1940). Though she lived a tragically short life, she made a dramatic impact as a composer and conductor. Czech by birth, Kaprálová studied at the...
Unfortunately, little information is readily available on the life and work of Julia Perry (1924-1979). She was born in Kentucky, raised in Ohio, and studied at the Westminster Choir College, Juilliard, and abroad, including with Nadia Boulanger in France. Among her...
I recently wrote about the news from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra that they are making a concerted effort to include and recognize the contributions of women musicians in their 2011-2012 concert season. Just days after the BSO news was announced, I learned that...
The BSO, led by Marin Alsop, just announced their 2011-2012 concert season which will be celebrating the music and achievements of women. Season highlights include Honegger’s Jeanne d’Arc au Bûcher (which will be semi-staged), James Lee III’s piece about...
