Her/Music:Her/Story

An e-mail from Allison Charney arrived in my mailbox asking me how to pronounce Gena Branscombe’s first name.  She went on to explain that with her colleague and friend, Donna Weng Friedman, the two would be hosting four one-hour radio shows featuring women composers entitled -  Her/Music:Her/Story. 

The shows were broadcast on WQXR on four consecutive Friday evenings at 9 PM starting on September 13^th.  

The first show celebrated the 200^th birthday of pianist/composer Clara Schumann (October 13, 1819 – 1896).  Allison and Donna took us on a journey discussing Clara’s life as a piano prodigy, wife to composer Robert Schumann, mother of eight children and composer.  Interspersed with their informative discussion were examples of Clara’s music - piano, instrumental and vocal. 

The second broadcast was the Three B’s: Lili Boulanger (1893-1918), Gena Branscombe (1881-1977) and Amy Beach (1867-1944).  How creative that is!  Again our hosts discussed each composer’s life and music then highlighting that with examples of their music.  Congratulations to Allison and Donna for performing live one of Miss Branscombe’s and Mrs. Beach’s songs. 

French composer Cecile Chaminade (1857-1944) was the subject of the September 27^th broadcast.  A popular and successful composer who won the French Legion of Honor award and was an internationally recognized artist, she died alone in 1944.  There have been nearly 200 Cecile Chaminade clubs in existence some of which continue to honor her today.  We were treated to the composer’s piano and vocal music.

The final broadcast featured Women of our Time – composers Jennifer Higdon, Stefania de Kenessey, Thea Musgrave, Kim D. Sherman, Gabriela Lena Frank and Jessie Montgomery.  To listen to these composers’ music and hear Allison and Donna’s personal stories of connection to these women was fascinating.

Congratulations and thank you to Allison Charney and Donna Weng Friedman for creating informative and wonderful radio broadcasts.  They definitely gave life to the title Her/Music:Her/Story.  The countless hours put into producing these shows more than proves dedication, passion and support of women composers across the ages.  Their knowledge of each composer’s life and music along with the ability to discuss them was an education for the listener.  

From this listener and supporter of women composers, I hope you will continue these broadcasts and may they be heard across the country inspiring musicians and arts organizations to perform, promote and commission works by women composers!