Music Meets Drama

One Eye Publications has released Gena Branscombe's " Violin and Pianoforte Volume 2 " and the Suite for Piano, " When Joan of Arc was a Little Girl. " These wonderful pieces of music are available for sale NOW! http://www.oneeyepublications.com/. #BringingBackBranscombe #OneEyePublications #ViolinPianofortepieces #WhenJoanofArcwasaLittleGirl #PianoSuite #WomanComposer #GenaBranscombe

 Over the past 27 years wonderful musicians have contacted me asking about the music of Gena Branscombe.  Most often these musicians are singers wanting suggestions for programming Gena’s songs for their recitals. It’s an absolute joy to share this repertoire with them and offer to coach the singers on the interpretive style.  Nearly two years ago I was told that mezzo-soprano Jade Espina had performed Gena’s “Lute of Jade” song cycle.  Listening to her sing these songs with great attention to phrasing and understanding of the text while gorgeously sung was a thrill.      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXGxfcogRh0 Several weeks later Jade and I spoke by phone.  What a great conversation we had.  Jade assured me she loved performing the song cycle and in the future would definitely be programming more of Gena’s songs.  She was helping The Gena Branscombe Project lay the path to having Gena’s 150 songs considered for recitals! ...

  “I feel I must fight for (my music), because I want women to turn their minds to big and difficult jobs; not to just go on hugging the shore, and afraid to put out to sea. ”   Dame Ethel Smyth –  1902 letter to her collaborator Henry Brewster Yes, Gena Branscombe and Ethel Smyth met.   During the Summer of 1935, while Gena was visiting her daughter in England, a visit was arranged between the two composers. There must have been a shared tea with a discussion of women composers of their era! #BringingBackBranscombe