“Feminine Fusion” is a weekly radio program that highlights the influence of women in classical music. These are the women throughout history and into the present day who create, perform, and inspire. Composer/announcer Diane Jones of WCNY-FM in Syracuse, NY is your host, and every week showcases some of these remarkable women.
Women are the central, unifying focus of this series. It is important to note, however, that their influence is broad-ranging, crossing the boundaries of culture, race, and gender. Who can know what might have happened to the likes of Aaron Copland, Donald Byrd, or Quincy Jones had they not studied with Nadia Boulanger?
“Had you asked me 10 years ago if I would have introduced a program focused on women in music, I would have said ‘no.’ Growing up in a houseful of brothers, I was always treated as their equal,” says Jones. “But there is still gender bias in the music world. I am anxious for the time when we no longer separate composers from women composers, or conductors from women conductors.”
Some of the individuals highlighted in this program entered the world of the arts knowing they faced opposition, and gathered their strength to face it head on. Others simply took to their chosen path, often unaware of the impact their actions would have. In every case, however, they have touched hearts and souls with their art.
Diane Jones
Diane Jones is the host of Feminine Fusion, aired every week on WCNY-FM. An active composer, she has received commissions from nationally and internationally-recognized musicians and ensembles, as well as completing 5 residencies in Syracuse area schools, introducing young musicians to composition. Diane performs regularly with Samba Laranja and the Central New York Flute Choir, and her music has been featured on two SAMMY-award winning CDs. Follow Diane on Twitter (@ComposerJones) and Facebook (here or here) for more about her programming and her music.
| Air Date | Program Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 22 - 23 | Sing! Part 2 | Women’s voices raised in song |
| Feb. 29 - March 1 | Looking Back | Music by women from Medieval, Renaissance, and the Baroque |
| March 7 - 8 | At the Keyboard, Part 3 | Women pianists have left the parlor and made their mark on the concert stage. This week, performances from these talented musicians |
| March 14 - 15 | Four by Four, Part 2 | Performances from all-female quartets |
| March 21 - 22 | Seasonal Music: Spring | Honor the equinox and the arrival of Spring with works for the season, written and performed by women |
| March 28 - 29 | Patchwork Quilt, Part XIX | Another block is added to our patchwork quilt |
August 1, 2020
“We stitch together quilts of meaning to keep us warm and safe, with whatever patches of beauty and utility we have on hand.” – Anne Lamott Every few months we add another block to our Patchwork Quilt, releases and performances by women for no other reason than to enjoy the music. This week, host Diane Jones has searched through her music library and found these works to share. Patchwork Quilt, Part XXII Richard Einhorn: Illness, from Voices of Light Anonymous 4 Netherlands Radio Philharmonic; Steven Mercurio, conductor “Voices of Light” Sony Classical 62006 Robert Schumann: Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73 Kristine Bogyo, cello Anton Kuerti, piano “Music for Cello” Analekta 2902 Alexandra Pajak: PTSD I: Dissociation, and PTDS II: Grounding Charae Krueger, cello “Mind/Electric: Music Inspired by Mental Illness” Centaur 3729 Frederic Chopin: Polonaise-Fantasie in A-flat Major, Op. 61 Maria João Pires, piano “Chopin” Deutsche Grammophon Marga Richter: Quantum Quirks of a […] Read More
July 25, 2020
“True duo playing is like two minds merging.” – Yo-yo Ma It’s an episode full of duos. Some of these women perform together regularly, others have come together for a particular project or series. But all of them merge their talents seamlessly to create beautiful music. Two of Us Igor Larionov: Kalinka Duo Imtakt “Songs of the Forest” Profil Medien 20013 Heitor Villa-Lobos: Deux Choros Zentripetal “Zentripetal” Composers Concordance Records 0018 Sy Brandon: Little Suite Ardente Duo “Hep Cats” Emeritus 20121 Federico García Lorcos: Canciones Españolas Isabel Leonard, soprano Sharon Isbin, guitar “Alma Española” Bridge 9491 Philippe Gaubert: First Sonata Michelle Batty Stanley, flute Margaret McDonald, piano “Nouvelle Vie” Navona 6135 Dmitri Shostakovich: Cello Sonata, Op. 40 Anouchka Hack, cello Katherina Hack, piano “Shostakovich: Sonatas, Op. 40 and Op. 147; Prelude, Op. 97)” Genuin 20701 58:29 Feminine Fusion highlights the roles of women in classical music. Host Diane Jones brings you stories and music of the […] Read More
July 18, 2020
“Composition can’t really be taught, it is a lifelong learning.” – Ellen Taffe Zwilich The process of teaching is a give and take, and this week, music of composers actively teaching in some of the leading colleges and conservatories across the United States. Today’s Teachers: Composers, Part 2 Elizabeth Ogonek: As Though Birds London Symphony Orchestra; François-Xavier Roth, conductor “The Panufnik Legacies II” LSO Live 5070 Kathryn Salfelder: Stylus Phantisticus Western Michigan University Symphonic Band; Robert Spradling, conductor “Shadowcatcher” Klaiver 11197 Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Celebration Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra; John Nelson, conductor “Zwilich: Symphony No. 1; Celebration; Prologue & Variations” New World Records 80336 Melinda Wagner: Concerto for Flute, Strings & Percussion (excerpt) Westchester Philharmonic; Mark Mondarano, conductor Paul Dunkel, flute “Melinda Wagner: concerto for Flute, Strings and Percussion; Poul Ruders: Concerto in Pieces (Purcell Variations)” Bridge 9098 Jennifer Higdon: Pale Yellow (from Piano Trio) Lincoln Trio “Notable Women” Cedille 126 […] Read More
July 11, 2020
“Music is an outburst of the soul.” – Frederick Delius Breath – we take it for granted. Woodwind players, though, have an intimate connection with the nuances of breath. It’s as though they share a part of their being with their instrument, and the music they create is a part of their soul Breath and Sound, Part 2 Georg Philipp Telemann: Fantasia in B-flat Major Cavatina Duo “Folias and Fantasias” Bridge 9541 Joseph Harchanko: Breath Andrea Cheeseman, clarinet “Somewhere” Ravello Records 8018 Russell Pinkston: Lizamander Francesca Arnone, flute “React” Ravello Records 7930 Arthur Foote: Two Pieces for Flute and String Quartet (excerpt) Carol Wincenc, flute Kevin Lawrence & Carolyn Stuart, violins; Sheila Browne, viola; Brooks Whitehouse, cello “American Flute Quintets” Bridge 9373 Marina Drankishnikova: Poéme Leslie Odom, oboe; Soomee Yoon, piano “Scene Rustique” Ravello Records 7935 Pedro Soler: Souvenir de Madrid Theresa Delaplain, oboe; Tomoko Kashiwagi, piano “Souvenirs” […] Read More
June 27, 2020
“Music can do so many different things. It can bind an audience together, start a revolution, and heal people.” – Jenny McLeod Let’s take a trip to the land Down Under this week, with music from women in Australia and New Zealand. You’ll hear an incredible variety, including influences from both European and Maori traditions. Down Under Natalie Nicolas: We Won’t Let You Down ACO Collective “Women of Note: A Century of Australian Composers, Vol. 2” ABC Classics 4819109 Miriam Beatrice Hyde: Village Fair Sydney Symphony Orchestra; Dobbs Franks, conductor “Women of Note: A Century of Australian Composers, Vol. 2” ABC Classics 4819109 Katia Tiutiunnik: The Quickening Laura Chislett, flute; Stephanie McCallum, piano “Women of Note: A Century of Australian Composers, Vol. 2” ABC Classics 4819109 Helen Fisher: Pounamu Else Bradley, alto; Richard Nunns, koauau TOWER Voices New Zealand; Karen Grylls, conductor “Choral Recital: Spirit of the Land” Morrison […] Read More
June 27, 2020
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.” – July 4, 1776 As we mark our American Independence Day, we have music for you from American women highlighting the path we have taken thus far, and shining a light on the path that lies ahead. We include music from the frontier, to the busy streets of New York city. Independence Day Joan Tower: Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman No. 4 Colorado Symphony Orchestra; Marin Alsop, conductor “Fanfares for the Uncommon Woman” Koch International 7469 Mark O’Connor: Americana Symphony (excerpts) Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Marin Alsop, conductor […] Read More
June 20, 2020
“When I was young My brother and I used to go fishing At a beautiful quiet pond amongst the fields It was there that we discovered… Summer Shimmers” – Jennifer Higdon The Summer Solstice marks the change of another season, and so this week we listen to Summer Music, performed and composed by these remarkable women. Summer Music George Gershwin: Summertime, from Porgy & Bess Anne Akiko-Meyers, violin London Symphony Orchestra; Keith Lockhart, conductor “Serenade: The Love Album” e-one 7192 Edie Hill: We Bloomed In Spring The Crossing; Donald Nally, conductor “Clay Jug” Navona 6073 Traditional: Summerisle (The Maypole Song) Medieaval Babes “Undrentide” BMG 75605 51359 2 Mira J. Spektor: White Road of Summer Maeve Högland, soprano; Jean-Paul Björlin, piano “Summer & Winter Songs” Navona 6236 Paul Reade: Suite from The Victoria Kitchen Garden Seunghee Lee, clarinet; Katrine Gislinge, piano “Full Circle” Musica Solis Astor Piazzolla: Verano porteño, from […] Read More
June 13, 2020
“The trumpet is loud. I didn’t want to sit in front of one.” – Merrie Klazek, on why she chose to play trumpet More and more women are filling up the ranks of brass sections every year. This week, performances from women who stepped outside expectations, and took up brass instruments. Glimmering Gold Astor Piazzolla: Oblivion Alison Balsom, trumpet Guy Barker & The Guy Barker Orchestra “Alison Balsom: Paris” Warner Classics 2564632789 Robert Elhai: Water Awakening Rebecca Cherian, trombone Rodrigo Ojeda, piano “Water Awakening” RBC 1001 Alessandro Marcello: Concerto in C minor Mary Elizabeth Bowden, trumpet The Kassia Ensemble “Rêverie” Summit 743 Trygve Madsen: Trio for Violin, Horn & Piano Frøydis Ree Wekre, horn; Atle Sponberg, violin; Tor Espen Aspaas, piano “Ceros” 2L 25 Antonín Dvořák: Rusalke, Op. 114 Merrie Klazek, trumpet Jennifer Snow, piano “Songs to the Moon” Independent Astor Piazzolla: Verano porteño tenThing “10” EMI Classics?Warner Classics 5099908832 Run time: […] Read More
June 6, 2020
“When I see the chalky smoke of rosin rising from the bridges of stringed instruments…[it] becomes a symbol, a kind of shadow of life felt and lived without apology or restraint.” – Michael Torke This week we feature string players, pouring their hearts and souls into these marvelous performances. Rosin Rising Joe Hisaishi: Princess Mononoke Angele Dubeau, violin; La Pieta “Ovation” Analekta 2 8746 Angelo Maria Fiore: Cello Sonata in G Major Elinor Frey, baroque cello Lorenzo Ghielmi, harpsichord; Esteban La Rotta, theorbo “Angelo Maria Fiore: Complete Cello Sonatas & 17th Century Italian Arias” Passacaille 1026 Aaron Copland: Two Pieces for String Quartet The Lark Quartet “Composing America” Bridge 9423 Maurice Ravel: Tzigane Anne Akiko Meyers, violin Philharmonia Orchestra; Kristjan Jarvi, conductor “Fantasia” Avie 2385 Heitor Villa-Lobos: Sonata Fantasia No. 2 Duo 526 (Kerry DuWors, violin; Futaba Niekawa, piano) “Duo Fantasy” Navona 6231 Sergei Prokofiev, arr. by Tamas Batiashvili: Grand Waltz, from Cinderella Lisa […] Read More
May 30, 2020
“Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.” – Jimi Hendrix Why call this a “Patchwork Quilt” episode? Well, sometime I have music that’s come into the studio that I just want to share with you. It may not fit neatly into a program theme, or it may have simply caught my attention and I couldn’t wait. And I’m a quilter, and I love the way seemingly disparate bits and pieces can come together to make a cohesive whole. So it’s time to add another musical block to our ever-expanding Patchwork Quilt. Patchwork Quilt, Part XXI Laura Netzel: La Gondoliera, Op. 60 Paula Gudmundson, flute; Tracy Lipke-Perry, piano “Breaking Waves” MSR Classica 1722 Adolphus Hailstork: Theme and Variations on “Draw the Sacred Circle Closer” Kristen Yeon-Ji Yun, cello “Summerland” MSR Classica 1752 Bohuslav Martinu: Primrose Jitro Girls Choir; Jiri […] Read More
