My Post Christmas Rant Like the armistice of 1914 on December 24, I have held off writing about my favorite subject until the „end“ of Christmas (which here in Germany is Dec27), namely: the call for inclusion of more women in classical music, in particular composers, directors, women as choristers, and the subject of my rant today, women as soloists. After listening to the usual barrage of choral music using countertenors, boy choirs, and substituting countertenors for altos (think e.g. 16), on both Germany and US radio stations, I went to a dinner party , where I slipped into a discussion concerning my sadness about misogyny in music. All of a sudden, another countertenor come on the radio cooing „Schlummert ein ihr matten Augen“ = you glazed-over eyes, fall asleep now“ by Bach - an absolutely gorgeous aria where the singer reflects on her own approaching death. One woman at this party, who fancied herself the world’s gift to choral music, sputtered (after I shot down all of her arguments) „well, it might just be that there are not enough good altos to sing these solos. (!!!!!!) It was still armistice time so didn’t wield my dinner knife. Suffice it to say, I will have more on this subject. For now, listen to Lorraine Lieberson sing the aria about midway through the clip. (You can of course take in her rapturous voice from the beginning). https://youtube/watch?v=I9BbWneSWQE
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 13:53:21 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015