W h o i s s h e ?
A perpetual work in progress, this webpage is designed to be a portal for finding out more about women composers through the ages. It is by no means exhaustive, either in terms of the personages listed or the resources available. Links to webpages that require subscriptions (such as entries in the essential Oxford Music Online/Grove Music Online) have been omitted.
More to come soon!
Readers are encouraged to check out the following:
- The publisher Furore, dedicated to publishing music by women composers, has an excellent directory, organised in alphabetical order with brief biographies; you can find it here.
- The project Donne, Women in Music is doing fantastic and important work in supporting women in music; you can find their list of composers here.
*Disclaimer: These links are being provided for the sake of convenience and educational purposes only. They do not reflect an endorsement or an approval by FL of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation, organisation or individual, nor is FL's website endorsed by these external organisations. FL claims no ownership and bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external sites. Please observe all copyright laws.
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Composers are listed in chronological order. Find links to external websites* below:
*See disclaimer above.
Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179)
(Ian D. Bent, "Hildegard of Bingen," rev. Marianne Pfau, Grove Music Online, September 16, 2010, accessed October 25, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.13016.)
Primarily known for: Plainchant works
Listening sample: Ordo virtutum
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Maddalena Casulana (ca. 1544–ca. 1590)
(Thomas W. Bridges, "Casulana [Mezari], Maddalena," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed October 24, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.05155.)
Primarily known for: Madrigals
Listening sample: Morir non può il mio cuore
Biography: Historical Anthology of Music by Women | Wikipedia
Sheet music: Choral Public Domain Library | IMSLP
Francesca Caccini (1587–after June 1641)
(Suzanne G. Cusick, "(2) Francesca Caccini [Francesca Signorini; Francesca Signorini-Malaspina; Francesca Raffaelli; 'La Cecchina']," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed June 26, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.40146.)
Primarily known for: Operas, other vocal works
Listening sample: Lasciatemi qui solo
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Barbara Strozzi (1619–1677)
(Ellen Rosand and Beth L. Glixon, "Strozzi, Barbara [Valle, Barbara]," Grove Music Online, August 28, 2002, accessed June 26, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.26987.)
Primarily known for: Cantatas for solo voice and continuo, other vocal works
Listening sample: Lagrime mie
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Isabella Leonarda (1620–1704)
(Stewart A. Carter, "Isabella Leonarda [Leonardi, Anna Isabella]," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed October 24, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.13920.)
Primarily known for: Sacred vocal works, sonatas
Listening sample: 'Sonata duodecima'
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Anna Bon (1739/40–after 1767)
(Jane Schatkin Hettrick, "Bon [Boni], Anna (Lucia)," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed February 23, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.47932.)
Primarily known for: Sonatas
Listening sample: Sonata in D Major, Op. 1, No. 4
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Maria Szymanowska (née Wołowska, 1789–1831)
(Zofia Chechlińska, "Szymanowska [née Wołowska], Maria Agata," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed October 25, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.27327.)
Primarily known for: Nocturnes, studies and character pieces for piano, songs
Listening sample: Polonaise in F Minor
Biography: Société Maria Symanowska | Polish Music Center, USC | Wikipedia
Louise Farrenc (née Dumont, 1804–1875)
(Bea Friedland, "(2) (Jeanne-)Louise Farrenc [née Dumont]," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed October 25, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.09336.)
Primarily known for: Chamber music, études and character pieces for piano, orchestral works
Listening sample: Symphony No. 1
Biography: Wikipedia
Fanny Hensel (née Mendelssohn Bartholdy, 1805–1847)
(Angela Mace Christian, "Hensel [née Mendelssohn (-Bartholdy)], Fanny Cäcilie," Grove Music Online, November 28, 2018, accessed October 10, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/omo/9781561592630.013.3000000159.)
Primarily known for: Songs, character pieces and sonatas for piano, chamber music
Listening sample: String Quartet
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Clara Schumann (née Wieck, 1819–1896)
(Nancy B. Reich, "Schumann [née Wieck], Clara (Josephine)," Grove Music Online, February 23, 2011, accessed October 24, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.25152.)
Primarily known for: Songs, character pieces for piano, chamber music, piano concerto
Listening sample: Piano Trio
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Pauline Viardot (née García, 1821–1910)
(Beatrix Borchard, "Viardot [née García], (Michelle Ferdinande) Pauline," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed June 26, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.29283.)
Primarily known for: Songs, transcriptions for voice and piano, operettas
Listening sample: Fleur desséchée
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Elisabeth von Herzogenberg (née von Stockhausen, 1847–1892)
(Antje Ruhbaum, "Von Eisbergen und Unterwasserlandschaften: Elisabeth und Heinrich von Herzogenberg und der Brahmskreis," Herzogenberg und Heiden, accessed January 19, 2021, https://www.herzogenberg.ch/eleisbergen.htm#tit6.)
Primarily known for: Character pieces for piano, songs
Listening sample: Allegretto and Andante (Nos. 2 and 6 from Acht Klavierstücke)
Biography: Wikipedia | Stadt Leipzig (in German)
Sheet music: IMSLP
Amanda Maier (1853–1894)
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Article: Library of Congress
Teresa Carreño (1853–1917)
(Laura Pita, "Carreño, (María) Teresa," Grove Music Online, May 28, 2015, accessed October 24, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2282327.)
Biography: Britannica | Wikipedia
Archives/documents: Bibliothèque nationale de France | Collection at Vassar College
Sheet music: IMSLP
Article: Independent UK
Cécile Chaminade (1857–1944)
Visit Spotlight on Chaminade for an exclusive Q&A with pianist Mark Viner!
(Marcia J. Citron, "Chaminade, Cécile (Louise Stéphanie)," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed October 24, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.05388.)
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Mélanie Bonis (1858–1937)
(Judy Tsou, "Bonis, Mélanie (Hélène) [Mel-Bonis]," Grove Music Online, July 10, 2012, accessed October 25, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.45497.)
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Dame Ethel Smyth (1858–1944)
(Sophie Fuller, "Smyth, Dame Ethel (Mary)," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed June 18, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.26038.)
Biography: Wikipedia | British Library | Wise Music Classical | Brooklyn Museum
Sheet music: IMSLP | Wise Music Classical
Amy Beach (née Cheney, 1867–1944)
(Adrienne Fried Block, "Beach [Cheney], Amy Marcy [Mrs H.H.A. Beach]," rev. E. Douglas Bomberger, Grove Music Online, October 16, 2013, accessed October 24, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2248268.)
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Alma Mahler (née Schindler, 1879–1964)
(Peter Franklin, "Mahler(-Werfel) [née Schindler], Alma Maria," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed June 26, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.43383.)
Biography: Universal | Wikipedia
Sheet music: Universal | IMSLP
Article: Classical-music.com
Dora Pejačević (1885–1923)
(Koraljka Kos, "Pejačević [Pejacsevich], Dora," Grove Music Online, July 25, 2013, accessed October 25, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.44994.)
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Rebecca Clarke (1886–1979)
(Liane Curtis, "Clarke [Friskin], Rebecca (Thacher) [Helferich]," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed March 11, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.44728.)
Website: Rebecca Clarke Society
Biography: Clarke Society (reprint of Grove article) | Wikipedia
Sheet music: Clarke Society
Florence Price (née Smith, 1887–1953)
(Rae Linda Brown, "Price [Smith], Florence Bea(trice)," Grove Music Online, January 31, 2002, accessed May 18, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.48286.)
Biography: Florence Price platform | Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP | Wise Music Classical
Articles: Classical-music.com | The New Yorker | NPR
Nadia Boulanger (1887–1979)
(Caroline Potter, "Boulanger, (Juliette) Nadia," Grove Music Online, January 31, 2002, accessed October 25, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.03705.)
Biography: Britannica | Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Germaine Tailleferre (1892–1983)
(Robert Orledge, "Tailleferre, Germaine (Marcelle)," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed October 24, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.27390.)
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Lili Boulanger (1893–1918)
(Annegret Fauser and Robert Orledge, "Boulanger, (Marie-Juliette Olga) Lili," Grove Music Online, January 31, 2002, accessed October 25, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.03704.)
Biography: Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Ruth Crawford Seeger (1901–1953)
(Ellie M. Hisama and Judith Tick, "Crawford (Seeger), Ruth (Porter)," Grove Music Online, July 10, 2012, accessed October 25, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2224168.)
Biography: Britannica | Wikipedia
Sheet music: IMSLP
Grażyna Bacewicz (1909–1969)
(Adrian Thomas, "Bacewicz, Grażyna," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed October 25, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.01669.)
Biography: Polish Music Center, USC | Wikipedia
Sheet music: Schott
Ursula Mamlok (1923–2016)
(Barbara A. Petersen, "Mamlok, Ursula," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed October 25, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.47480.)
Website: Mamlok-Stiftung
Biography: Mamlok-Stiftung | Wikipedia
Sheet music: Boosey & Hawkes
Article: NY Times
Thea Musgrave (b. 1928)
(Jennifer Barnes, "Musgrave, Thea," Grove Music Online, November 27, 2002, accessed June 26, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.19399.)
Website: Musgrave
Biography: Wikipedia
Sofiya Gubaydulina (b. 1931)
(Valentina Kholopova, "Gubaydulina, Sofiya Asgatovna," Grove Music Online, January 31, 2002, accessed October 25, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.11911.)
Biography: Wise Music Classical | Britannica | Wikipedia
Sheet music: Boosey & Hawkes | Wise Music Classical
Joan Tower (b. 1938)
(Ellen K. Grolman, "Tower, Joan," Grove Music Online, January 31, 2014, accessed October 24, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2258544.)
Biography: Wise Music Classical | Wikipedia
Sheet music: Wise Music Classical
Tania León (b. 1943)
(J. Michele Edwards, "León, Tania (Justina)," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2001, accessed June 26, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.42484.)
Website: León
Biography: Wikipedia
Libby Larsen (b. 1950)
(Mary Ann Feldman, "Larsen [Reece], Libby [Elizabeth] (Brown)," rev. Laura Greenwald Strom, Grove Music Online, October 16, 2013, accessed October 25, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2250015.)
Website: Larsen
Biography: Wikipedia
Kaija Saariaho (b. 1952)
(Kimmo Korhonen and Risto Nieminen, "Saariaho, Kaija (Anneli)," Grove Music Online, January 31, 2002, accessed October 25, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.45895.)
Website: Saariaho
Biography: Wikipedia
Melinda Wagner (b. 1957)
(Mark Alburger, "Wagner, Melinda," Grove Music Online, January 20, 2016, accessed June 26, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2289660.)
Website: Wagner
Biography: Wikipedia
Jennifer Higdon (b. 1962)
(Christina L. Reitz, "Higdon, Jennifer (Elaine)," Grove Music Online, February 6, 2012, accessed October 25, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2219143.)
Website: Higdon
Biography: Wikipedia
Rebecca Saunders (b. 1967)
(Robert Adlington, "Saunders, Rebecca," rev. James Saunders, Grove Music Online, September 9, 2009, accessed June 18, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.52802.)
Website: Saunders
Biography: Wikipedia
Lera Auerbach (b. 1973)
Website: Auerbach
Biography: Wikipedia
Missy Mazzoli (b. 1980)
Website: Mazzoli
Biography: Wikipedia
Caroline Shaw (b. 1982)
(Meg Wilhoite, "Shaw, Caroline (Adelaide)," Grove Music Online, May 28, 2015, accessed June 26, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.2277536.)
Website: Shaw
Biography: Wikipedia
Denise Lee (b. 1987)
Soundcloud: Lee
Other useful links:
Wikipedia article on women in music