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.

Lili and Nadia, sisters making a big impact

Classical 91.5 WXXO-FM | By Ruth Phinney

Published February 14, 2018 at 10:41 AM EST

Lili Boulanger, the first woman to win the coveted Prix d’Rome from the Paris Conservatory, was a singer who also played piano, violin, cello and harp.

After she died at 24, her sister Nadia Boulanger—also a brilliant musician—spent her life promoting her sister’s works and becoming one of the most important teachers in the 20th century, counting Rochester’s David Diamond among her many students.

Here Leonard Bernstein congratulates Nadia Boulanger, after she became the first woman to conduct the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in a full concert.

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.