Women Composers Concert Report

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The first work was played was called Suite: 3 Airs, composed by Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre (1666-1729) from the Baroque period. This piece had a very stepwise and conjunct melody. The key was mostly bright and major. The harmony was a bit resolving and consonant. The polyphonic texture was recognizable because of the multiple melodies playing together. The tempo of this piece was very constant and remained allegretto throughout. The dynamics was mezzo forte or moderately loud. The formal structure was in the ternary form in which the main idea of the piece was repeating after a small contrast in the middle. Overall, this piece seemed quite unique to me because it was my first time listening to the organ.

Audubade by Libby Larsen (b.1950) was a Contemporary piece performed. This was a solo flute performance by Kristen Smith Stoner. It was a very somber piece with a minor key. It almost brought more quietness to the atmosphere. The notes for this work were quite far apart, thus, making it have a disjunct melody. The texture was homophonic with a very tense dissonant harmony. The tempo and dynamics varied quite often. As the tempo progressively sped up from a moderato to an allegretto and finally to a faster presto, the piece seemed to be getting more and more tense. The dynamics were also changing. From being a moderately soft mezzo piano, it moved back and forth to a louder forte and moderately loud mezzo forte. The formal structure was in the third rondo. It had a returning theme after a small contrast in the middle.

Partita by Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983) was another work from the Contemporary Period, this time performed by Judith Pfeiffer, a German pianist. This work consisted of three movements, all of which had...

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...ast, or allegro, and at the end, became very slow, or largo. The dynamics were between mezzo piano and mezzo forte throughout. Towards the end of the piece, there was a constant repetition of the main theme, making it have a first rondo formal structure. It was evident because the musician kept running her fingers from one side of the piano to the other without lifting a finger. This piece was perfect to be played last because if had a very soft and resolving finish.

In conclusion, it was a very unique experience for me to attend this concert. It was my first time listening to music in a church. The music was wonderful and played brilliantly. I now realize how talented some of the women composers were throughout the history of music. The experience of listening to such wonderful music firsthand was an honor. I hope to attend one in the near future.

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