This month, due to the reduced number of musicians on our stages, colleagues have requested suggestions for smaller orchestra repertoire (specifically to be paired with Classical sized ensembles) by women and/or BIPOC composers. As I a mentioned in my last article, there were so many outstanding choices in this area that I chose to offer two weeks: One list for living and one list for historical composers.
Before, I begin, it comes to my attention that you may wonder why and who I choose for these 10 x 10 series. Currently, there are 122 composers that identify themselves as either female or a composer of color. From this list, I have reached out to all living composers (to the best of my ability) and have requested their email addresses. From this email list, I have requested composers to send me their top three compositions that would fit into certain categories. For example, I have currently requested holiday (particularly December compositions), classical orchestra sized, concertos, music for spring, and string orchestra music.
From this request, composers send me the requested information and I input their information on my database. Once this is done, I proceed to listen to all of the music. Though I would love to have a more thorough list, I am not able to get all of the information from the many terrific composers out there. My intention is to present a diverse compilation of composers with respect to gender and race – though my primary interest is to offer the top 10 compositions that I find compelling. My goal is to offer great examples that may interest Music and Artistic Directors from the top tier orchestras to community orchestras.
Once I get my choices for the top 10 composers, I put their names in alphabetical order and use a random selector app to present my final list. It is not in any particular order.
This week has brought about hope, or at least light at the end of this pandemic tunnel with the possibility of a vaccine. Though Covid has been tough for us, my hope is that these lists will continue to encourage the expectation of diversity on the concert stage. It has been such a pleasure to learn about so many new composers.
I hope you enjoy!
Entries will follow the following format:
· Composer Name (hyperlink to additional info about the composer)
Titles hyperlink to more information and recordings
Length
Orchestration
Link to rental information via publisher or composer
HERE WE GO!
· Louise Farrenc - 1804-1875 (These are ALL great works)
Symphony No. 3 in G minor, op. 36
34’00
2.2.2.2 - 2.0.0.0 – timp – str
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, op. 32
31’00
2.2.2.2 - 2.2.0.0 - timp. Str
Symphony No. 2 in D Major, op. 35
33’00
2.2.2.2 - 2.2.0.0 - timp. Str
· Florence Price - 1887-1953
28’00
2.0.2.1 – 2.2.0.0 – timp +1, hp, strings
· Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George - 1745 – 1799 (Again, all great!)
Symphony no. 1 in G Major, op 11
16’00
0.2.0.0 - 2.0.0.0 – strings
Symphony no. 2 in D Major, op. 11
10’00
0.2.0.0 - 2.0.0.0 – strings
· Ethel Smyth - 1858 - 1944
Serenade in D minor
36’00
2.2.2.2 – 3.2.0.0 - tmp. Strings
· Silvestre Revueltas - 1899 – 1940
Homenaje a Federico Garcia Lorca
10’00
1(P).0.1(Eb).0 – 0.2.1.1 – 1 perc, pf, 2 vn, db or small str
· Marianna Martines - 1744-1812
11’30
2.2.0.1 – 2.0.0.0 – str
https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/publishers/clarnan-editions/marianna-martines/3000242+1820129
· Roque Cordero - 1917 – 2008
11’00
1.1.1.1 - 1.1.1.0 – strings
· Mary Howe – 1882 - 1964
03’00
1(p).1.1.1 - 0.0.0.0 - perc – strings
https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/work/29056/Sand--Mary-Howe/
· Germaine Tailleferre - 1892 - 1983
05’30
1.1.1.0 – 0.0.0.0 – str
· Melanie Bonis - 1858-1937
03’00
2(picc).1.2.2 - 2.2.0.0 - timp, hp, strings