Remembering Vítězslava Kaprálová

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...

Josephine Lang

Another example of being fortunate enough to be born into a musical family lies with Josephine Lang (1815-1880). Her father, Theodor, was a violinist and her mother, Regina Hitzelberger, was an opera singer. They supported their daughter in her musical ambitions,...
Julia Smith

Julia Smith

Born and raised in Texas, Julia Smith (1905-1989) achieved acclaim as a composer, pianist, and musicologist – but is is perhaps best remembered for composing the music for the University of North Texas alma mater. After graduating from UNT, Smith completed her...

Remembering Violet Archer

Violet Archer (1913-2000), Canadian composer, pianist, percussionist, organist, and educator, received recognition and acclaim throughout Canada and the United States. She was a student of Béla Bartók and Paul Hindemith, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada in...
Pauline Viardot

Pauline Viardot

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...
Mary Howe

Mary Howe

Born in Virginia in 1882 and raised in Washington, D.C., Mary Howe (nee Carlisle) was an accomplished pianist and composer of large and small forms. She studied at the Peabody Conservatory as well as abroad with Nadia Boulanger. Known primarily for her piano works,...