Feminine Fusion

October 16, 2016: Part Of The Crowd

by Diane Jones

October 10, 2016

Edna Phillips, harp, Philadelphia Orchestra.
(Published in the Inquirer 1941. PHOTO: R. T. Doone)

“Women artists need to break barriers in order for women’s experience to be valuable.” – Liz Phair

For centuries, orchestras have been dominated by men.  It was remarkable when Leopold Stokowski appointed Edna Phillips to the position of Principal Harp in 1930.  Just fifty years later, members of the Berlin Philharmonic threatened to strike if a female clarinetist was hired.  Women auditioning on traditionally “male” oriented instruments – think tuba or trombone – were dismissed as not having the physical stamina to play in an orchestra.  And yet, with the advent of blind auditions, the number of women hired by orchestras has increased significantly.  This episode of Feminine Fusion takes a look at just a few of these women joining the ranks of the orchestra, becoming “Part Of The Crowd.”

“Part Of The Crowd”

Paul White: Sea Chanty
Edna Phillips, harp;
The Philadelphia Orchestra Strings, Eugene Ormandy, cond.
“Sea Chanty”
American Columbia, matrices XCO 35084 through 35087 (78 rpm)

Michael Daugherty: Reflections on the Mississippi for Tuba & Orchestra
Carol Jantsch, tuba;
Temple University Symphony Orchestra, Luis Biava, cond.
BCM&D Records

Berthold Goldschmidt: Clarinet Concerto
Sabine Meyer, clarinet;
Berlin Comic Opera Symphony Orchestra, Yakov Kreizberg, cond.
London (Decca) 455586

Run time: 58:34

Feminine Fusion highlights the roles of women in classical music.  Host Diane Jones brings you stories and music of the women who create, perform and inspire.  Produced in the studios at WCNY-FM.