Monthly Archives: December, 2018

Dec 29 – Jan 4, 2019: Looking Back, Looking Forward

Published - December 29, 2018

“We wait for the new year to appear to us like the hopeful sun bringing aspiring light to an eager world.” – Munia Kahn   The calendar is turning once again, so let’s take note of some of the accomplishments of women in the classical music world in the last year.  Then we’ll look at what’s to come in the new year.   Looking Back, Looking Forward Xavier Montsalvatge, arr. by Sharon Isbin:  Selections from Cinco canciones negras Sharon Isbin, guitar; Isabel Leonard, soprano “Alma Española” Bridge 9491 Nico Muhly:  Two Voices Hilary Hahn, violin; Cory Smythe, piano “Retrospective” Deutsche Grammophon 479 8295

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Dec 21-28, 2018: Winter Holiday Show

Published - December 22, 2018

“Tis merry to hear, at evening time, By the blasing hearth the sleigh-bells chime” – Susanna Moodie, The Sleigh Bells   Winter is here, and it’s a perfect time to curl up and listen to some winter music composed, performed, and conducted by women.   Holiday Special   Sylvia Woods:  Winter Bells Sylvia Woods, harp “3 Harps for Christmas” Tonmeister 1226 I’lana Sandra Cotton:  Music for Midwinter Max Lifchitz, piano “American Women Composers” North/South 1043 Kevin W. Walker:  Winter in the Woods Rebecca Jeffreys, alto flute; Alexander Timofeev, piano “Friends in Common Time” Jeffreys 46521 Joshua Shank, text by e.e. cummings:  Winter Seattle Pro Musica; Karen

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Dec 15-21, 2018: Voices Raised 3

Published - December 15, 2018

“Find your voice, and inspire others to find theirs.” – Stephen Covey The human voice has the power to move us in many ways.  When many voices sing together, they create harmonies that are impossible alone.  And when a group of women’s voices join in song, the experience can be almost magical.  This episode features women’s vocal ensembles with music across the centuries.   Voices Raised 3   Guillame DuFay:  Rite Majorem Jacobum Canamus Lorelei Ensemble “Impermanence” Sono Luminus 92226 Robert De Cormier:  They Called Her Moses Bella Voce Women’s Chorus of Vermont “Songs of Hope and Freedom” Bella Voce Traditional (Serbian):  A Window

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Dec 8-14, 2018: Patchwork Quilt, Part XII

Published - December 8, 2018

Music, my love, you have taken my hand in sorrow and led me from darkness. You have taught me grace and forgiveness. Music, my love, you whisper to me of paradise.                     – Katherine Hoover (1937-2018)   Sometimes we listen to music just because.  Those are Patchwork Quilt episodes, with an hour of compositions and performances by women.  Some of the music is new, some is familiar, and all of it is outstanding.  Enjoy!   Patchwork Quilt, Part XII     Katherine Hoover:  Kokopeli Laurel Zucker, flute “Song of the Wind” Cantilena 66017

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Dec 1-7, 2018: Blow Your Own Horn

Published - December 1, 2018

“Great musicians are great musicians, whether they are playing a trombone or an electric guitar or a xylophone.”  – Chris Stapleton   There are longstanding stereotypes for so-called masculine versus feminine instruments. In the 1904 edition of Musical Standard, Gustave Kerker notes that quote – “Women cannot possibly play brass instruments and look pretty, and why should they spoil their good looks?”  Fortunately, we are finally, albeit slowly, moving away from those biases.  Today, we are going to hear performances by some of the talented women who have ignored the stereotypes and are blowing their own horns.   Blow Your

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