Kaija Saariaho: A Primer

Kaija Saariaho: A Primer

By Susan M. Brown Though now hailed as one of the greatest Finnish composers of her generation, Kaija Saariaho readily recalls a time at the Sibelius Academy when male teachers balked at teaching a “pretty girl,” claiming it was a waste of their time. But...

Tania León

Tania León (b. 1943) is a Cuban born composer and conductor.  She began studying piano at the age of four and went on to complete a Bachelor’s Degree at the Alfredo Peyrellade Conservatory and a Master’s Degree from National Conservatory.  She settled in...

Women and Music Festival: Eastman Community Music School

The first of three Festival concerts on Saturday, March 29, was performed by students of the Eastman Community Music School.  Boys and girls performed works composed by women, and four girls performed really lovely pieces that they had written themselves.  The Lowry...

Dana Suesse: Musician, Composer, and Lyricist

Dana Suesse (1909-1987), born in Kansas City, Montana, was a child vaudeville star who eventually left the circuit and moved to New York with her mother when she was just seventeen.  There she began to compose larger works and made a name for herself.  Among her more...

Women in Music Festival: All-Higdon Concert, March 28

Sorry to have gotten behind in the blogging!  Here is last night’s concert, March 28. I love Jennifer Higdon’s music.  BUT I did have some trepidation that a whole concert of her music might be a bit much. My concern was needless.  The evening was completely...