UNSUNG HEROES: celebrating women in music
“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
We're preparing to conclude our 41st season, Elemental Forces with the upcoming concert series A Star of the first Magnitude: Contemporary Women Composers this May. Under the direction of Rebecca Seeman, celebrating her 15th Anniversary as Artistic Director, Sacred and Profane is excited to explore the powerful and exciting repertoire composed by contemporary women that remains underrepresented in traditional concert programming.
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, andCaroline 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.
Stay tuned for more insights into this inspiring program. We hope to see you there!
A Star of the first Magnitude: Contemporary Women Composers
May 19, 2019 at 4PM
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
May 18, 2019 at 8PM
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
1111 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco