Feminine Fusion

S4-09: Women of Color: Performers, Part 4

by Diane Jones

November 2, 2019

Jessye Norman

“Pigeonholing is only interesting to pigeons.”  – Jessye Norman

A youngster sees a musician and says, “She looks like me.  And she’s making incredible music.  I can do that, too!”  Being a woman of color is still an anomaly in the Classical music world, and this week we’ll take another listen to some of these talented musicians.  On today’s program we’ll hear performances from women of color who were groundbreakers, as well as those making their way today.

“Women of Color: Performers, Part 4”

Franz Schubert:  Ganymed, Op. 19, No. 3
Jessye Norman, soprano
Phillip Moll, piano
“Schubert Lieder”
Philips 412623

Camille Saint- Saëns:  Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix
Grace Bumbry, soprano
Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; James Levine, conductor
“James Levin’s 25th Anniversary Metropolitan Opera Gala”
Deutsche Grammophon 449177

Astor Piazzolla:  The Angel Suite
Ann Hobson Pilot, harp
Lucia Lin, violin; J.P. Jofre, bandoneon
“Piazzolla: Escualo”
Harmonia Mundi 907627

Eugène Ysaÿe:  Ballade
Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin
“In My Own Voice”
MSR Classics 1278

Leopold Kozeluch:  Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major
Rochelle Sennet, piano
Classical Chamber Players; Tracy M. Parish, conductor
“Keyboard Works of Leopold Kozeluch”
Mark Records 50513

Richard Wagner:  Liebestod, from Tristan und Isolde
Jessye Norman, soprano
London Symphony Orchestra; Sir Colin Davis, conductor
“Wagner: Wesendonk-Lieder, Liebestod”
Philips 412655

58:29

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.