Feminine Fusion

S06 Ep47: Women of Color: Composers, Part 2

by Diane Jones

July 23, 2022

Dolores White

“By the time most musicians have completed their training and achieved a professional career, they have little to no exposure to and experience with women composers and composers of color.”  – Rob Deemer, founder – Composer Diversity Database

In a letter of introduction to Serge Koussevitzky, composer Florence Price wrote, “I have two handicaps – those of sex and race.”  The composer’s on today’s program all face those dual biases.  Fortunately, their music is slowly gaining the recognition it deserves.

Women of Color: Composers

Lena Johnson McLin:  A Summer Day
Helen Walker-Hill, piano
“Kaleidoscope: Music by African-American Women”
Leonarda 339

Dolores White:  Blues Dialogues
Rachel Barton Pine, violin
“Blues Dialogues”
Cedille 182

Irene Britton Smith:  Sonata for Violin and Piano
Gregory Walker, violin; Helen Walker-Hill, piano
“Kaleidoscope:  Music by African-American Women”
Leonarda 339

Florence Price:  Violin Concerto No. 1
Er-Gene Kahng, violin
Janacek Philharmonic;  Ryan Cockerham, conductor
“Florence Price: Violin Concertos”
Albany 1706

Run time:  58:30

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.