Music 301/501

Women in Music

19^th Century Instrumental Literature

19^th Century Instrumental Music Composers

· Louise Dumont Farrenc (1804-1875).

Studied piano with major teachers (Moscheles and Hummel) from age 6
Entered Paris Conservatoire age 15; studied composition with Reicha
Concert tours; some compositions from age 21
Married a music publisher
Taught piano at Conservatoire for ~30 years (longest female tenure ever)
Wrote 3 symphonies, chamber music with piano, lots of solo piano music; used fairly conservative forms
Example 1: Scherzo from Trio in E Minor (Flute or violin, cello, piano: 1862)
Example 2: Adagio-Allegro, 4^th movement of Nonetto, 1849

· Fanny Hensel (1805-47)

Traveled to Rome in 1839; trip influenced her greatly, led to her determination to publish her music

· Example: Das Jahr (“The Year”), composed between August and December 1841 (after return)

· Clara Schumann (1819-96)

· Used Bach for model; very conservative writing except harmony

· More contemporary genre; harmony more adventurous

· Louise Hériette-Viardot (1841-1918); daughter of Pauline Viardot-Garcia

Performed as contralto; celebrated teacher of voice in several cities
Wrote songs, 4 string quartets, 2 piano trios, sonata for violin and piano (genres not common for singers); also comic opera, cantata. Style not similar to contemporaries
Example: “Serenada” from Spanish Quartet (piano, vln, vla, vc) 1883

· Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944)

Parisian, upper middle class family of amateur musicians
Studied piano and composition privately; toured as piano virtuoso from age 18 (1875); toured US with Philadelphia Orchestra in 1908 (age 51); performed own works on most tours throughout her life
Very prolific: over 400 works, great variety of genre and style: concerti, orch suites, ballet, opera, chamber music, choral symphony, 135 songs, >200 piano pieces.
Example: La Morena op. 67 “a Spanish caprice for solo piano”
Example: Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello no. 1 in G Minor op. 11
Example: Concertino for Flute and Orchestra op. 107 (1902)

· Lili Boulanger (1893-1918)

Musical family: father taught voice at Paris Conservatoire; mother a singer; sister attending conservatoire from Lili’s early age; Lili went to classes with her. Also had very sophisticated surroundings: top musicians, artists and poets around
Severe illness while a toddler weakened her, probably led to early death
Studied violin, organ, piano, cello, harp
Won Prix de Rome (top prize in composition from Conservatoire); lived in Rome about 2 years, returned to France due to health
Wrote about 50 works in 10 years in various genres: secular and sacred vocal music are main genres
Example 1: Nocturne for Flute and Piano (1912)
Example 2: D’un matin de printemps (“A spring morning”) 1918

· Example 3: Reflets

· Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (1867-1944)

· Taught herself counterpoint, fugue and orchestration by copying and studying scores, writing down pieces from memory, etc.

Solo with Boston Symphony age 18
Later that year married Dr. H.H.A. Beach; composed a lot during marriage but only performed occasionally
After husband’s death resumed performing, touring in Europe
Example: Quartet for Strings op. 89 (1929)
Example: Piano Trio in A Minor Op. 150 (1938)
Example: Gaelic Symphony Op. 32 (1894-96)