Season One: Night Songs by Women (2021)
Five episodes oF Songs BY Women
Five Extraordinary Songs
by Five Exceptional Women
This lecture-recital series will introduce you to five talented women composers, their stories, and their music destined to be discovered by you, here in the 21st-century. Each composer’s work highlights her settings of texts on the theme of “night.” These wonderful songs could be taught in vocal and piano studios, in music history and literature courses, and shared with groups that promote the voices of women and girls.
This video lecture/recital series was created by Dr. Katharine Boyes (piano) and Dr. Susan Mohini Kane (soprano). These talented artists studied the music and history of women composers while graduate students at The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Their doctoral theses that highlight women composers’ music for piano, and voice and piano, are listed below. Subsequent varied interests in promoting the works of women led to recordings - Spotify, Apple Music - workshops, conference presentations, and lecture/recitals on women in music.
Publications:
Dr. Katharine Boyes (piano) – Portraits of the Seasons by Women Composers on Amazon.com and CD Baby.
Katharine Boyes’s doctoral thesis: The Months of the Year Portrayed in Piano Works by Fanny Hensel, Charles-Valentin Alkan, Peter Tchaikovsky, and Judith Lang-Zaimont.
Dr. Susan Mohini Kane (soprano) – A Moment of Joy includes songs by Sara Carina Graef, Fanny Hensel, and Cécile Chaminade on Amazon.com & From the Heart includes a song by Madeleine Dring, also on Amazon.
Susan Kane’s doctoral thesis: Liza Lehmann (1982-1918): Her Times, Roles, and Songs.
Her Music Lives: Season One: Night Songs by Women
Each video includes:
· A live performance of the selected song
· An introduction to the composer
· A brief analysis of the music from two points of view: pianist & soprano
· A Connection Question that prompts the listener to respond to the song from their personal listening space
· Brief listing of resources which connect the listener to recordings and readings highlighting the composer
Overview of Her Music Lives: Season One
Episode 1: Liza Lehmann (1862-1918)
“Evensong” by Liza Lehmann
“Evensong” is a beautiful song about love and loss. Lehmann has created a perfectly singable and touching art song on a text by another woman, Constance Morgan, that embodies the power and beauty of evening shadows as a metaphor for loss. Please enjoy our 10-minute video on Liza Lehmann’s “Evensong.”
Episode 2: Alma Mahler (1879-1964)
“Lauersommernacht” by Alma Mahler
“Lauersommernacht” (Mild Summer Night) deserves a place next to the great composers of Lieder (German art song). This short, unique song is extremely expressive and beautifully depicts the complex emotion of the poem by Gustav Falke in a romantic style. Please enjoy our 10-minute video on Alma Mahler’s “Lauersommernacht”.
Episode 3: Florence Price (1887-1953)
“Night” by Florence Price
“Night” is an especially touching and beautiful setting of a poem by Louise C. Wallace. In just two pages, Price takes us on a journey to the moon and back to earth through exquisite images and harmonies. Please enjoy our 10-minute video on Florence Price’s “Night.”
Episode 4: D’Orsay [aka. Maria Lluisa Ponsa] (1875-1919)
“Noche azul” by D’Orsay
“Noche azul” is a Spanish translation of a poem originally written in French by A. Karrvill entitled, “Nuit bleu.” Though simple in its melody, the song encompasses a wide vocal range with long phrases. The composer’s passion is heard in the notes of this song. Please enjoy our 10-minute video on D’Orsay’s “Noche azul.”
Episode 5: Poldowski [aka. Régine Wieniawski] (1879-1932)
“L’heure exquise” by Poldowski
“L’heure exquise” is more frequently performed than other songs in this series because it was published under the pseudonym, Poldowski who, people assumed was a man. This song deserves its place as a true French mélodie alongside songs by Fauré, Duparc, and Debussy. Please enjoy our 10-minute video on Poldowski’s “L’heure exquise.”
Want to Meet These Artists in Person?
Both Susan and Katharine are available for workshops, presentations, performances, and masterclasses. To contact us, please send us a note.