Analytical Essays on Music by Women Composers: Concert Music, 1900-1960

Through musical analysis of compositions written in the first half of the twentieth century, Analytic Essays on Music by Women Composers: Concert Music, 1900-1960 celebrates the achievements of eight composers: Alma Mahler-Werfel (1879-1964), Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979), Dame Ethel Smyth (1858-1944), Ruth Crawford (1901-53), Florence B. Price (1887-1953), Galina Ustvolskaya (1919-2006), J. M. Beyer (1888-1944), and Peggy Glanville-Hicks (1912-90). Written by outstanding music theorists and musicologists, the essays provide thought-provoking in-depth explorations of representative compositions, often linking analytical observations with questions of meaning and sociohistorical context. Each essay is introduced by a brief biographical sketch of the composer by editors Laurel Parsons and Brenda Ravenscroft. This collection - Volume 2 in an unprecedented four-volume series of analytical studies on music by women composers - is designed to challenge and stimulate a wide range of readers. For academics, these thoughtful analytical essays can open new paths into unexplored research areas in the fields of music theory and musicology. Post-secondary instructors may be inspired by the insights offered in these essays to include new works in music theory and history courses at both graduate and upper-level undergraduate levels, or in courses on women and music. Finally, for soloists, ensembles, conductors, and music broadcasters, these detailed analyses can offer enriched understandings of this repertoire and suggest fresh, new programming possibilities to share with listeners.

Laurel Parsons is Full Teaching Professor of Music Theory and Co-ordinator of Aural Skills at the University of Alberta. Her research interests focus on the music of British composer Elisabeth Lutyens, Danish composer Else Marie Pade, and aural skills pedagogy related to post-secondary students with learning differences. From 2012-15 she chaired the Society for Music Theory's Committee on the Status of Women. Brenda Ravenscroft is Professor of Music Theory and Dean of the Schulich School of Music at McGill University. Her research focuses on post-tonal American music, text and music, rhythmic organization, and pedagogy. She chaired the Society for Music Theory's Committee on the Status of Women from 2006 to 2009.

Acknowledgements About the Companion Website Chapter 1. Introduction Laurel Parsons and Brenda Ravenscroft Part 1. Music for Voice Chapter 2. Alma Mahler-Werfel, "Licht in der Nacht" (1901): Searching for the Light: Harmonic Cycles and Feedback Loops in Alma Mahler-Werfel's "Licht in der Nacht" Kenneth M. Smith Chapter 3. Rebecca Clarke, "Tiger, Tiger" (1933): Extended Tonality and Text-Setting in Rebecca Clarke's "Tiger, Tiger" Zachary Bernstein Chapter 4. Ethel Smyth, The Boatswain's Mate (1913-1914): A Wrinkle? Gender and Motive in Ethel Smyth's The Boatswain's Mate Rachel Lumsden Chapter 5. Ruth Crawford, Chants for Women's Chorus (1930): "Not yet accepted as singing": Ruth Crawford's "To An Angel" from Chants for Women's Chorus Ellie M. Hisama Part 2. Instrumental Music Chapter 6. Florence B. Price, Piano Sonata in E minor (1932): Culture and Craft in Florence Price's Piano Sonata in E minor (First Movement) Horace J. Maxile, Jr. Chapter 7. Galina Ustvolskaya, Sonata for Violin and Piano (1952): Motivic Patterns, Repetition, and Formal Structures in Galina Ustvolskaya's Sonata for Violin and Piano Tim Sullivan Chapter 8. J. M. Beyer, String Quartet no. 2 (1933-34): Imagination and Method: J. M. Beyer's String Quartet no. 2 Marguerite Boland Chapter 9. Peggy Glanville-Hicks, Sinfonia da Pacifica (1952-53): Avant-garde or Postmodern? The Melody-Rhythm Concept in Peggy Glanville-Hicks's Sinfonia da Pacifica Victoria Rogers Glossary Bibliography Index