News and music to start your week!
The New York Times offers a profile for the French composer and organist Jeanne Demessieux, pictured above. Considered one of the greatest organist of the 20th century, the article explores her life and work, and includes examples of her performance as well as others playing her compositions.
Louise Farrenc received her debut with the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston this past week. Her Symphony No. 3 was conducted by Laurence Equilbey, who was also making her debut with the ensemble. The Boston Globe has the review.
Florence Price was remembered and honored in her home state of Arkansas in the fundraising gala for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. The Arkansas Democratic Gazette talks with the organizers about how they worked to honor Price throughout the event, and how the funds they are raising will be put to work in her honor.
And The New York Times talks to Esperanza Spalding and Wayne Shorter who are collaborating on an opera. Iphigenia, an updated Greek myth, will see its first performances later this month. The two also formed their own opera company for the production – and we are eager to see how their collaboration, and this new company, can help shape opera in the future.
In its Nov. 13 concert, the Jackson Symphony Orchestra (Mississippi) spotlights women composers Audrey Kelley, a contemporary classical composer, and Fernande Decruck, a French composer who was born in 1896. Decruck’s Harp Concerto (of 1944) will receive its American premiere. Learn more about Fernande Decruck here.
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