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Jenni Murray is joined by Master of the King's Music Errollyn Wallen for the first in a new series devoted to the music of women composers.

Women have always composed - but, far more than with their male contemporaries, obstacles have been thrown in their way. In this new series, Jenni Murray explores some of the avenues women composers have taken to overcome these challenges, offering insight into their music and illuminating the cultural and human stories which resonate today, as well as celebrating the music itself with a vibrant playlist of some of the very best music by women.

1: Why women, why now? To ask whether or why we still need to talk about “women composers" in the 21st Century, and to look at some of the historical reasons why women's voices have often not been heard and the progress made over the past couple of decades, Jenni is joined by Master of the King's Music Errollyn Wallen.

The playlist includes classics by Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn, Amy Beach and Ethel Smyth, alongside gems from contemporary composers Joan Tower and Sally Beamish, plus gaming music by Michiru Yamane and a film score by Laura Karpman - a barnstorming track from 2023 superhero movie The Marvels.

Producer: Graham Rogers

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56 minutes

Last on

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91热爆 Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Joan Tower

    Fanfare for the uncommon woman no. 1

    Orchestra: Colorado Symphony. Conductor: Marin Alsop.
    • Fanfares For The Common Woman.
    • Koch.
    • 1.

  • Clara Schumann

    3 Romances Op.22 (no.3)

    Performer: Tasmin Little. Performer: John Lenehan.
    • C. Schumann; Smyth; Beach.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 007.

  • Errollyn Wallen

    Piano Concerto (4th mvt 'Joyful')

    Performer: Rebeca Omordia. Orchestra: 91热爆 Concert Orchestra. Conductor: John Andrews.
    • Maconchy, Lutyens & Wallen: Works for Piano & Orchestra.
    • Resonus Classics.
    • 10.

  • Amy Beach

    Symphony in E minor 'Gaelic', Op.32 (2nd mvt)

    Orchestra: Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Kenneth Schermerhorn.
    • NAXOS.

  • Amanda Aldridge

    Cavalcade (Carnival Suite)

    • Bach To Black: Suites for Piano, Vol. II.
    • Albany Records.
    • 49.

  • Amanda Aldridge

    Harlequin (Carnival Suite)

    Performer: Rochelle Sennet.
    • Bach To Black: Suites for Piano, Vol. II.
    • Albany Records.
    • 51.

  • Sally Beamish

    In the Stillness

    Ensemble: ORA. Conductor: Suzi Digby.
    • Advent Calendar.
    • harmonia mundi.
    • 4.

  • Michiru Yamane

    Marble Gallery (Castlevania)

    Performer: Laurence Manning. Performer: 松原健一. Music Arranger: Laurence Manning.
    • Piano Collections: Castlevania.
    • Materia Collective.
    • 11.

  • Laura Karpman

    Higher. Further. Faster. Together. (Theme from The Marvels)

    Performer: Sheku Kanneh‐Mason. Choir: 91热爆 Singers. Choir: 91热爆 Symphony Chorus. Orchestra: 91热爆 Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Marin Alsop.

  • Ethel Smyth

    Symphonic Serenade (Finale)

    Orchestra: 91热爆 Philharmonic. Conductor: Odaline de la Martinez.
    • Chandos.

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Frühlingslied, Op. 62 No. 6

    Ensemble: Goldmund Quartet.
    • Berlin Classics.

Broadcast

  • Saturday 13:00
    91热爆 Radio 3

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