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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.

Wang Jie - composer combines social issues with musical expression

Chinese-American composer Wang Jie was born in Shanghai shortly after the Culture Revolution, and came to the United States to study at the Manhattan School of Music. Jie’s music incorporates Chinese and Western classical styles, and often revolves around social issues such as nature, the environment, disability, war, love and loss. Aside from composing, she’s an enthusiastic softball player who bats left and throws right. Listen to her perform "Game for Two" for two pianos.

Read Wang Jie's guest blog about Becoming a Composer

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.