March is Women’s History Month. And for Classics a Day, it’s another opportunity to focus on classical music composed by women. And not just composers in the 21st Century. 

Every year when we do this theme, I discover more female composers whose music I have never heard before. But it’s music that deserves to be heard — and more than once. 

Here are my posts for the third week of Women’s History Month, 2023.

03/13/23 Marguerite Balutet: 4 Petites pièces en clef de sol

Balutet began her career as a concert pianist but soon transitioned into teaching. She founded the Beethoven School in 1883 as a training college for future piano teachers. Innovative for the time was the issuance of certification after students completed the rigorous coursework.

03/14/23 Caterina Assandra: Duo Seraphim

Assandra was a Benedictine nun active in the early 1600s. She served her convent as an organist and published several collections of music. The Duo Seraphim was written for performance within the convent.

3/15/23 Helena Tulve: Anstatica

Tulve is an Estonian composer. She’s served as composer-in-residence for the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, International Pärnu Music Festival Järvi Academy, and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra.

03/16/23 Henriette Renié: Légende for Harp

Renié was a French harpist and composer. She’s credited with standardizing performance practices for the instrument. Légende was written in 1901.

03/17/23 Mlle Duval (1718-1775): Passacaille from Les Génies, ou Les caractères de l’Amour

She was only the second female composer to have an opera performed at the Paris Opera. Duval was also a dancer and a harpsichordist. This opera premiered in 1736 and ran for 9 performances. She accompanied and directed from the harpsichord.

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