Category: resources
-
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 Brno Conservatory and well as abroad with (among others) Nadia Boulanger.…
-
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, including opportunities to become acquainted with Felix Mendelssohn who worked to have Lang’s music…
-
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 graduate work at Juilliard and New York University. She performed as a pianist…
-
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 1983, and had The Canadian Music Centre Library named in her honor. She was…