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!

Recordings

In 2018 two recordings were released that included works by Gena Branscombe.  Orchestral music of American composers from the late 19^th century and early 20^th century represents one of the CDs.  The second recording features the piano music of 13 American women composers. 

American Romantics III garnered the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Reuben Blundell, the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music.  Recording the music of David Stanley Smith, Carol Busch, Edward MacDowell, Charles Wakefield Cadman, Cecil Burleigh, Ludwig Bonvin and Gena Branscombe – not all the composers are familiar names to everyone, the music is beautiful and a tribute to  the wide range of American music.  Congratulations. 

Gena’s piece on this CD, “A Memory” was originally composed for violin and piano.  As a gift to the founder, Edwin Fleisher, of the Philadelphia Symphony club, composer William Happich arranged the work for harp and strings in 1922.  The arrangement is now held in the Free Library of Philadelphia.

On the Centaur Label, pianist Joanna Goldstein released her Nasty Women CD.  Along with Miss Branscombe’s “The Squirrel Party,” this recording includes works by Gena’s friends and colleagues Florence Price, Mary Howe, Harriet Ware, Amy Beach, Ethel Hier, Mana-Zucca and others.  Listening to each of these women composer’s distinctive piano works and musical styles is an aural and emotional treat. 

Gena Branscombe’s home country has never forgotten her.  Over many years Canadian musical artists have recorded her songs, violin and piano works.  Elaine Keillor, piano, has been a champion of Miss Branscombe’s music recording her “Valse Caprice” on her CD By a Canadian Lady – Piano Music 1841-1997.  With violinist Ralitsa Tcholakova, the two recorded Gena’s “Sonata in A minor” on their Remembered Voices CD.

 Le Souvenir – Canadian Songs for Parlour and Stage features baritone Russell Braun singing Gena’s song “Serenade.”  The same song was included on the CD, When You and I were Young Maggie – 19^th Century Canadian Salon Music.  There is a slight twist to this CD as Gena’s song was performed on flugel horn and piano. 

Then, there is my CD, Ah! Love I Shall Find Thee: Songs of Gena Branscombe.  Songs and piano works by the composer.

Among the CDs, the individual’s work, dedication, effort and musical abilities gives voice to American and Canadian composers.  The composers are not as famous as the three male B’s.  The recording artists have given their listeners music from the past that warrants being heard.  Open your ears and soul to lesser known composers and artists as they have much to offer the classical music world!