cover photo from Music by Women
Scala, a digital radio station in the UK has a launched a station dedicated entirely to classical women composers.
Fanny Mendelssohn
From Fanny Mendelssohn’s String Quartet in E Flat Major to Hildegard von Bingen’s Spiritus Sanctus Vivificans , Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A Minor played by Isata Kanneh-Mason and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the long playlist is a celebration of composers who were often overlooked.
Incidentally, if you haven't already seen the documentary film Fanny: the other Mendelssohn, it is well worth a viewing and a fantastic listening experience with Isasta Kanneh-Mason performing the once lost, but found Easter Sonata.
The Scala presenter-less radio station offers a wide range of music across decades but without any further information about the pieces or the composers. They have allied with Donne, a charity dedicated to "readdress the gender inequality of the music industry" with the founder, Gabriella Di Laccio believing that the radio station will introduce the many female composers, from ancient to modern, to remind audiences of their contribution to music history. “We look forward to the day when there are just composers,” states Di Laccio, “but we are not there yet and there is still a need to highlight women composers.”
Anything that heightens awareness is cause-enough to listen and learn. Thank you Scala.
Clara Schumann