A Star of the First Magnitude: Contemporary Women Composers

“What do I fear? I am a part of infinity,

I am a part of the great power of the universe,

A single world within a million worlds,

A star of the first magnitude

Which is the last to be extinguished.

Triumph to live, Triumph to breathe, Triumph to exist!”

– Edith Södergran

Women are writing exciting, expressive, and important music, and yet remain sorely underrepresented in traditional concert programming. Sacred and Profane is thrilled to bring these women to the stage in May 2019, as we celebrate our Artistic Director’s 15th anniversary with the group.

With music that highlights expressive sensibilities, feminist themes, and diverse influences, the program includes works all by living and working female composers, with exception for the original feminist composer: 11th century abbess Hildegard von Bingen. Also on the program is Quilt Songs, a collection of pieces inspired by quilts and composed by Alice Parker, Libby Larsen, Gabriela Lena Frank, Ysäye Barnwell, and Carol Barnett; and works by Tina Andersson, Alissa Firsova, and Caroline Mallonée. The triumphant conclusion is a setting of Edith Södergran’s feminist poem Triumf att finnas till by our much-championed Swedish composer, Karin Rehnqvist. These works showcase the resilient spirit of femininity and celebrate the impressive talent of women in music through the choral arts from the local to international level. 
 

Saturday, May 18th, 8 PM 

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

1111 O’Farrell (between Gough & Franklin) 

San Francisco

Sunday, May 19th, 4 PM

St Mark’s Episcopal Church

2300 Bancroft Way (at Ellsworth)

Berkeley