Women composers who made history
Clara Schumann once said: "A woman shouldn't want to compose. There has never yet been one capable of doing so. Should I expect to be the one?"
We can safely say that yes, she was the one!
But she wasn't the only one, for she was one of the very many exceptionally talented female composers who left their mark on history.
From the Middle Ages to the 20th century, we're going to tell the story of the most emblematic female composers and allow you to obtain free scores of their masterpieces in the Newzik application (registration required).
Hildegarde of Bingen (1098-1179), Germany
Hildegard von Bingen was not only a composer, but also a mystic, writer and visionary. She founded two monasteries as a Benedictine abbess. "Ordo Virtutum", one of her compositions, is the world's oldest surviving morality play. The work features melodies for the human soul and 16 virtues, but the Devil never has a melody, since he only has a speaking role.
Louise Farrenc (1804-1875), France
Louise Farrenc received her piano lessons from great masters such as J.N. Hummel and Ignaz Moscheles. After her marriage, she interrupted her studies to give concerts with her flutist husband Aristide Farrenc. Although she was a brilliant performer and composer, for almost ten years she was paid less than her male counterparts. It was only after the highly successful premiere of her Nonette for winds and strings (which also featured the celebrated violinist Joseph Joachim) that she demanded and finally obtained equal pay.
Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (1805-1847), Germany
A very active composer, Fanny wrote over 460 works (!), including an astonishing piano trio and numerous books of piano pieces and songs. Unfortunately, some of her works were originally published under the name Felix, since she was the sister of the famous composer Felix Mendelssohn. Her piano works are most often songs, and bear the title "Chanson sans lyrics". This style of music was very much developed and disseminated by Felix, although some suggest that Fanny actually preceded her brother in this genre.
Clara Schumann (1819-1896), Germany
Clara Schumann, one of the most distinguished pianists of her time, enjoyed an astonishingly successful concert career spanning 61 years. Her father Friedrich Wieck taught her to compose, and she wrote her Piano Concerto at the age of 14. Clara was one of the central figures of the Romantic era. Together with her friend Johannes Brahms and her husband Robert Schumann, they shaped the music of the 1800s with their musical talents and creativity. Today, we are fortunate to be able to play, listen to and study her incredible musical and compositional talent, and she continues to be the musical idol of so many women around the world.
Amy Beach (1867-1944), United States
America's first successful female composer, Amy Beach was a celebrated pianist, who unfortunately agreed to limit her piano performances to one charity recital a year after her marriage. After her husband's death, she toured Europe as a pianist, playing her own compositions to great acclaim. She mainly composed music in the Romantic style, although her later works experimented with more exotic harmonies and techniques. Famous works include the Mass in E flat major and the fascinating "Gaelic Symphony".
Lili Boulanger (1893-1918), France
From the age of two, Lili Boulanger 's talent became obvious when the famous composer Gabriel Fauré discovered that she had an absolute ear for music. Her musical education was fortunately supported by her parents. She was only 19 when she won the Prix de Rome composition prize with her Faust et Hélène, becoming the first woman composer to win this special award. Sadly, she died tragically young, aged just 25. The asteroid "1181 Lilith" is named in her honor.
