News and music to start your week!

We are now accepting applications for our Performance Grants!  Find funding to support U.S. performances of works by women composers!

Erica Jeal reviews a new recording of chamber works – specifically pieces for cello and piano – by Fanny Hensel (pictured) and Felix Mendelssohn for The Guardian.

Also at The Guardian, a glowing review of the debut of Dalia Stasevska’s as the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s new principal guest conductor. She’s first woman to hold a titled conducting post at a major London orchestra.

The Library of Congress has announced their 2019-2020 season, including a celebration of Clara Schumann.  Read the Press Release here and get details of all the individual events here.

Forbes Magazine talks about the problem of blackface in opera and the most recent blackface scandal, as American Soprano Tamara Wilson, takes a stand, refusing to wear the makeup that has been traditional for the title role of Verdi’s Aïda.

Did you miss the performance of Dorothy Howell’s brilliant symphonic poem Lamia, performed at the Proms by  City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla?  You can listen to the concert for a month, here.  Also here is an excellent article about Howell, hosted by her hometown, Birmingham

An article marks the centennial of Rebecca Clarke’s Viola Sonata, with the story of the competition that encouraged Clarke to write it.  AND — our friends at The Rebecca Clarke Society, Inc.  have the exciting orchestration — as a Concerto — available! Listen to a thrilling performance of the first movement.

Is there an upcoming orchestral performance that we should know about?   Drop us an email ( [email protected] ) so we can place it on our new Events Calendar!