Classical Music

Women in Classical Music

If you look at the listings of the major orchestras in America you will see two things in common; very few of them are programming major pieces by women composers, and almost none have a woman on the podium. Despite the abundance of wonderful compositions by women, the world of classical music has been, for centuries, a man’s world.

Louise Ferrenc, pushed for equal pay for equal work

Classical 91.5 WXXO-FM | By Ruth Phinney

Published February 8, 2018 at 1:27 PM EST

19th century French pianist and composer Louise Farrenc studied with Anton Reicha and Johann Nepomuk Hummel. Despite being a virtuoso performer and composer, she was paid less than her male colleagues, until 1849 when she demanded – and received equal pay. Listen to her Trio for flute, cello and piano Op. 45 (1856)

This post is part WXXI Classical 91.5’s celebration of Women’s History Month. For more of these stories and other resources, check out Celebrating the Contributions of Women to Classical Music.