Women in Classical Music
Women who made their mark in classical music, including many whose names have been undeservedly forgotten.
Medieval and Renaissance Music by Women
Today, women composers of the medieval and Renaissance periods are becoming better known. Many were women leading religious lives who had the time and education to devote to composition. Here are some picks of music by women composers or with female subjects and performers, selected for diversity and quality.
Today, women composers of the medieval and Renaissance periods are becoming better known. Many were women leading religious lives who had the time and education to devote to composition. Here are some picks of music by women composers or with female subjects and performers, selected for diversity and quality.
Thea Musgrave
A biography of the Scottish 20th century composer, known for her dramatic abstract style.
A biography of the Scottish 20th century composer, known for her dramatic abstract style.
Leontyne Price
Your women's history guide brings you a biography and links for one of the most popular opera sopranos of recent history -- the first black opera singer on television.
Your women's history guide brings you a biography and links for one of the most popular opera sopranos of recent history -- the first black opera singer on television.
Eve Queler
Biography of a pioneer woman conductor, from your Women's History Guide.
Biography of a pioneer woman conductor, from your Women's History Guide.
Nina Simone
Nina Simone was a classically trained pianist whose singing mixed genres of classical music, jazz, blues and soul -- and her music and outspoken ideas on American racism reflected and became part of civil rights and black power history. Several of her songs, including her cover of Sinatra's "My Way," became feminist classics as well.
Nina Simone was a classically trained pianist whose singing mixed genres of classical music, jazz, blues and soul -- and her music and outspoken ideas on American racism reflected and became part of civil rights and black power history. Several of her songs, including her cover of Sinatra's "My Way," became feminist classics as well.
Women in Classical Music, 19th/20th Centuries: Albums
A standard challenge: "Why no women Mozarts?" Besides the fact that there's only been one male Mozart, could we have known if Mozart's sister had great talent, given family and social roles, expectations and education for women? But some women nearly transcended those odds.
A standard challenge: "Why no women Mozarts?" Besides the fact that there's only been one male Mozart, could we have known if Mozart's sister had great talent, given family and social roles, expectations and education for women? But some women nearly transcended those odds.
Sissieretta Jones (1868-1933)
Race and gender in classical music, and the life of singer Sissieretta Jones, from About.com Guide to Classical Music Cheryl Campbell.
Race and gender in classical music, and the life of singer Sissieretta Jones, from About.com Guide to Classical Music Cheryl Campbell.
Ars Femina Ensemble
If you hear this chamber music ensemble play, you'll not only hear music written by women before 1800, but you'll also hear an explanation for the long silence of their music.
If you hear this chamber music ensemble play, you'll not only hear music written by women before 1800, but you'll also hear an explanation for the long silence of their music.
Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (1867-1944)
A musical prodigy (composing by age four, public piano recitals by seven), Amy Beach concentrated on composing during her marriage, returning to performance after her husband's death.
A musical prodigy (composing by age four, public piano recitals by seven), Amy Beach concentrated on composing during her marriage, returning to performance after her husband's death.
Catherine Hayes
A book author describes Catherine Hayes, 19th century Irish opera and concert singer, including her life, her repertoire, and her itineraries.
A book author describes Catherine Hayes, 19th century Irish opera and concert singer, including her life, her repertoire, and her itineraries.
Mostly MIDI Mostly Early
Early music by women composers: online MIDI files so you can hear the compositions.
Early music by women composers: online MIDI files so you can hear the compositions.
Maud Powell Foundation
Honoring a pioneer woman violinist, this organization and its quarterly journal honor her life by celebrating the achievements of classical women composers.
Honoring a pioneer woman violinist, this organization and its quarterly journal honor her life by celebrating the achievements of classical women composers.
Clara Schumann: The Girlhood of Clara Schumann
Subtitled "Clara Wieck and Her Time." Ebook version of a biography of Clara Schumann by Flora May, with portrait, 370 pages, published in 1912.
Subtitled "Clara Wieck and Her Time." Ebook version of a biography of Clara Schumann by Flora May, with portrait, 370 pages, published in 1912.
Tania León
Gale biography of Tania León, an internationally-renowned musician born in Cuba and of multiracial descent.
Gale biography of Tania León, an internationally-renowned musician born in Cuba and of multiracial descent.