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Chimes Revisits “Women in Publication: A Sampling”
We were intrigued to see how much has changed, so we decided to revisit our previous article, ”Women in Publication: A Sampling”, which was originally posted in March 2021.
What is new since March 2021 in terms of works from the female composers listed♭ Have other female composers come to the fore (either historical or contemporary)♭
This is a copy of the original post with some minor edits, interspersed with new information on female composers and their works.
”Women in Publication: A Sampling”
This year, for Women's History Month, we wanted to do something useful!
If you work in publishing, it quickly becomes clear that one of the greatest barriers to making women's music more widespread is the lack of easily-available published resources. This is especially true for larger scale works, particularly orchestral and chamber music. Of course, you can find printed music by a handful of women: Rebecca Clarke, Clara Schumann & Fanny Mendelssohn are all available from larger scale publishers. For many more, it is difficult or even impossible to find printed scores, particularly for women from further back in history
As a small contribution to the wider effort, we've put together a list of some of the women composers in print whose work is available from Chimes. If you don't see what you are looking for, please don't be discouraged - this article contains only a glimpse of what's available. You can always get in touch via email or telephone to request or enquire about a score. We will continue to update this list and would welcome suggestions - please feel free to email.
”I've been a woman for a little over 50 years and have gotten over my initial astonishment. As for conducting an orchestra, that's a job where I don't think sex plays much part.” - Nadia Boulanger
Albums & Collections of Music
9 Female Composers from 3 Centuries (25 Easy Piano Pieces)
At the Piano with Women Composers (beginner - intermediate)
Black Women Composers: A Century of Piano Music (1893-1990)
Music for Piano by Women Composers through the Centuries (intermediate - advanced)
Piano Music by Women Composers Book 1
40 Upper Elementary to Early Intermediate Level Pieces
Piano Music By Women Composers Book 2
30 Intermediate to Upper Intermediate Level Pieces
22 Nocturnes for Chopin by Women Composers
Women Composers - A Graded Anthology for Piano Book 1, Book 2, Book 3
Three volumes published by Schott Music, edited by Melanie Spanswick, which provide a progressive compendium providing a broad repertoire from the 17th century to the present day. For each piece, the editor has written short instructions with rehearsal tips as well as biographical notes on the women composers.
The Oxford Book of Organ Music by Women Composers
Compiled by Anne Marsden Thomas and Ghislane Reece-Trapp, this collection presents a comprehensive survey of historical organ pieces by women composers alongside six newly commissioned works.
Multitude of Voyces: Sacred Music by Women Composers Vol. 1 - SATB Anthems
Multitude of Voyces: Sacred Music by Women Composers Vol. 2 - Upper Voices Anthems
New Standards: 101 Lead Sheets by Women Composers
Pre-1800
Here is a sampling of female composers working before 1800:
- Francesca Caccini
A volume of vocal works (possibly the first staged work by a woman!) - Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre
Keyboard & instrumental works available - Marianna Martines
Some works available from Furore Verlag on request - Maria Teresia von Paradis
Sicilienne for cello (of royal wedding fame!) - Barbara Strozzi
Some vocal works available
1800-1900
- Cecile Chaminade
Works for piano, solo instruments, chamber ensembles & voice - Louise Farrenc
Works available for chamber ensembles - Fanny (Hensel) Mendelssohn
Works for piano, voice, chamber ensemble, some as Urtext editions (e.g. Selected Piano Works (first edition) Henle) - Clara Schumann
A wide selection of works, some as Urtext editions (e.g. Violin & Piano: Three Romances, Op.22 Barenreiter ) - Ethel Smyth
Selection of chamber & piano works - Pauline Viardot
Vocal & chamber works
20th Century
- Grażyna Bacewicz
String quartets, songs & violin sonata - likely more works on request - Amy Beach
Vocal repertoire, piano, chamber music - Lili Boulanger
Vocal, chamber, keyboard, choral works - Nadia Boulanger
Art songs & solo instrumental works - Ina Boyle
Art songs & choral works - Rebecca Clarke
Works for piano, voice, strings & chamber ensembles - Madeleine Dring
Works for voice, piano, recorder & oboe - Agathe Backer Grøndahl
I Blaafjellet (In the Blue Mountain) Op. 44, Piano solo (Urtext)
Fantasistykker (Fantasy Pieces) Op. 39, Piano solo (Urtext) - Imogen Holst
Chamber music & choral works - Elisabeth Lutyens
Website lists works for oboe, choir & double bass - most of her works are published by Yorke Edition and are available by request. - Elizabeth Maconchy
Vocal, piano, chamber & instrumental works - Florence Price
Small selection of works is currently available, with more scheduled to be released. - Priaulx Rainier
Some titles available for strings, woodwinds & chamber. Many more titles are available on request as the majority of her works are available from Schott Music. - Kaija Saariaho
Some works on the website now but many more are available by request - Germaine Tailleferre
Works for piano, violin, voice & chamber ensembles - Grace Williams
Some works on the website as sheet music and CDs, more available by request
Living Women in Publication: A Sampling
And on to the women who are composing today! This list of Living Women in Publication is a sampling that we will continue to update. Of course, this list only includes women whose music is published commercially - lots of living composers are self-published, or publish through Composers Edition. Over on our Instagram, we've been shining a spotlight on living composers, many of whom happen to be women, so give us a follow there if you'd like to stay updated.
- Sally Beamish
Chamber music, choral and instrumental works. - Kerensa Briggs
Some choral works available - YolanDa Brown
Inspiring collections celebrating black composers (selected and edited by YolanDa Brown) - Unsuk Chin
Piano works - Anna Clyne
Some chamber music available - Cheryl Frances-Hoad
Voice, piano and chamber music - Ruth Gipps
A wide variety of works, specifically titles for wind instruments - Juliana Hall
S0me vocal works available - Betsy Jolas
A wide variety of works - Libby Larsen
Some vocal works available - Alma Mahler
Some vocal works available - Cecilia McDowall
A wide variety of choral music is also available for download from Chimes Music Digital - Thea Musgrave
Works for voice, solo instruments & choirs available - other scores available by request - Roxanna Panufnik
Instrumental, chamber, vocal works - Joan Tower
Instrumental, chamber, keyboard works - Errollyn Wallen
A wide variety of works - Judith Weir
A wide variety of works
Books by or about Women Composers
Anna Beer
Sounds and Sweet Airs: The Forgotten Women of Classical Music (Paperback)
Leah Broad
Quartet: How 4 Women Changed the Musical World (Paperback & Hardback)
Christopher Grogan
Imogen Holst: A Life in Music (Paperback & Hardback)
Imogen Holst
Conducting a Choir (Paperback)
Errollyn Wallen
Becoming a Composer (Hardback)
Finally, do please watch Clifton Harrison's videos in collaboration with British Music Collection and Sound and Music, which profile five exceptional contemporary composers - all women in publication today.
In conclusion: Chimes Revisits ”Women in Publication: A Sampling”
We do hope that you have found Chimes Revisits ”Women in Publication: A Sampling” useful, but please do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything else that we can help you with.
If it would be easier for you to speak to a member of our team please do call either Barbican or Kensington.
We would be happy to welcome you to one of our shops, either Barbican or Kensington to browse our stock.
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Photocopies & downloads
Candidates should not perform from unauthorised photocopies (or other kinds of copies) or illegal downloads of copyright music in examinations. There are limited circumstances where can copies be used in an examination the UK. The MPA's Code of Fair Practice gives further guidance. Before making a copy an application should be made to the copyright holder. Evidence of permission should be brought to the exam. Candidates and Applicants must act within the law with regard to copyright.