“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 14 - 20 | One Life: Joan Tower | A look at the life and music of Joan Tower |
| Sept. 21 - 27 | Friends | In honor of International Friendship Month, let's hear from these friends |
| Sept. 28 - Oct. 4 | Women Walking in Their Own Shoes | Groundbreaking women who followed their own path |
| Oct. 5 - 11 | Telling Tales | National Storytelling Weekend was Oct. 4th. This is music that tells stories. |
January 18, 2020
“As a language without words, music communicates a commonality among people, linking mankind by means of shared understanding and experience.” – Evangeline Benedetti What a variety on this Patchwork Quilt episode! Traditional and brand new works, including some jazz crossover, electronics, and composers partnering with performers. “Patchwork Quilt, Part XVIII” Giuseppe Torelli, arr. by Craig Terry: Tu lo sai Joyce DiDonato, soprano Craig Terry, piano; Charlie Porter, trumpet; Jimmy Madison, drums; Chuck Israels, bass; Lautaro Greco, bandoneon “Songplay” Erato 019295534387 Hugo Godron: Suite Bucolique Sara Farker, oboe; Casey Robards, piano “Botanica” MSR Classics 1723 Philip Glass: Mad Rush Rea Beaumont, piano “Timeless” Shrinking Planet Productions 0093 Missy Mazzoli: Vespers for Violin Jennifer Koh, violin; Missy Mazzoli, electronics “Limitless” Cedille 9000 191 Franz Liszt: Die Macht der Musik Julia Kleiter, soprano; Julius Drake, piano “Liszt: The Complete Songs, Vol. 6” Hyperion 68235 Sergei Prokofiev: Sonata for cello and piano, Op. 119 (excerpt) Evangeline […] Read More
January 11, 2020
“Children become what they are told they are.” – Dorothy DeLay Teachers, and in particular music teachers, can have a profound and lasting influence on their students. This episode highlights students and the women who taught them. Whether teaching an instrument or composition, their impact is felt in every performance. “Influential Women: Teachers, Part 2” Kelly-Marie Murphy: Huron Carol Interlude Angèle Dubeau, violin La Pieta “Noël” Analekta 8730 Arvo Pärt: Spiegel im Spiegel Anne Akiko Meyers, violin Akira Eguchi, piano “Mirror in Mirror” Avie 2386 George Gershwin: Bess, You Is My Woman Now (from Porgy & Bess) Nadia Salerno-Sonnenberg, violin New Century Chamber Orchestra “Together” NSS Music 00081 Henri Vieuxtemps: Concerto No. 4 (excerpt) Hilary Hahn, violin Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen; Paavo Järvi, conductor “Retrospective” Deutsche Grammophon 479 8295 Leonard Bernstein: For Helen Coates (from Four Anniversaries) Michele Tozzetti, piano “Leonard Bernstein: Complete Solo Piano Music” Piano Classics 10174 Igor Stravinsky: Piano Sonata (1924) Earl Wild, piano […] Read More
January 4, 2020
“And tears are heard within the harp I touch.” – Petrarch This week, we focus on the Plucked family of instruments – guitar, harp, and harpsichord. Plus a few more intriguing medieval plucked instruments thrown in for good measure. It’s quite a mix of music! “Plucked, Part 2” Radames Gnattali: Suite Retratos: II – Ernesto Nazareth (Valse) Beijing Guitar Duo ‘Maracaípe – Guitar Duos and Solos by Gnattali & Assad” Tonar Music 91201 John Dowland: Lacrime pavane & A Fancy Mari Mäntylä, decacorde “Decacorde” Alba 261 John Duarte: Appalachian Dreams Sharon Isbin, guitar “Dreams of a World” Teldec 25736 Anonymous: De schriuer van der nigen stat & Mit ganczem willen wünsch ich dir (from Rostocker Liederbuch) Vader myn, ik en wil nicht mer tor scole gan – Tenor – Ligge stille, ligge stille (fromRostocker Liederbuch) Leah Stuttard, medieval harp Agnethe Christensen, kantele & gussli “Oluf Strangesøns Dyst/Joust – A Musical Scrapbook” Modern Roots 001 Yusef […] Read More
December 28, 2019
“Everything passes, but nothing entirely goes away.” – Jenny Diski We are at a tipping point, that moment when one year turns to the next. As we head into the next decade, we’ll take a trip through time, from Medieval days to modern. It’s music that is sacred and secular, including the latest Pulitzer Prize-winning work from Ellen Reid. We’ll also take note of what the future has in store. “Turning Time” Hildegard of Bingen: Kyrie Oxford Camerata; Jeremy Summerly, conductor “Heavenly Revelations” Naxos 550998 Caterina Assandra: Salve Regina Cappella Artemisia “Rosa Mistica” Tactus 600003 Caterina Assandra: In Dulcis Amor Jesu Cappella Artemisia “Rosa Mistica” Tactus 600003 Barbara Strozzi: L’eraclito Amoroso Heike Pichler- Trosits, soprano La Villanella Basel “O Dulcis Amor” Ramée 0401 Leonora Duarte: Sinfonia Nos. 1 & 7 Sonnambula; Elizabeth Weinfield, director “Leonora Duarte: The Complete Works” Centaur 3685 Anna Bon di Venezia: Flute Sonata No. 5 Hans-Joachin Fuss, flute; Nicolau de Figueriredo, […] Read More
December 21, 2019
“The color of springtime is flowers; the color of winter is in our imagination.” – Terri Guillimets We are heading toward the depths of winter here in the northern hemisphere. It is a season marked by long nights and short days, when we start bundling up against the cold, often looking inward as we reflect on the season. So grab some cocoa or a hot toddy, settle in by the fire, and take a listen to some winter music from medieval to modern times. “Winter Music” Judith Bingham: The Darkness Is No Darkness Voces8 “Winter” Decca 4830968 Johann Melchior Molter: Concerto Pastoral in G Major Angèle Dubeau, violin; La Pietà “Noël” Analekta 8730 Mira J. Spektor: Winter Lullaby Maeve Höglund soprano; Jean-Paul Björlin piano “Summer & Winter Songs” Navona 6236 Traditional: As I Lay On Yoolis Night Anonymous 4 “On Yoolis Night” Harmonia Mundi 907099 Conrad Susa: Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest (excerpts) […] Read More
December 14, 2019
“I like to keep changing because discovery is always interesting.” – Ludovico Einaudi Yet another Patchwork Quilt episode for you this week, and it’s quite a variety of music. From a work inspired by the Nevada landscape, to another commemorating the founding of the city of Hanoi, it’s marvelous music written and performed by women. “Patchwork Quilt, Part XVII” Johann Adolph Hasse: Morte col fiero aspetto, from Marc’Antonio e Cleopatra Cecilia Bartoli, mezzo-soprano Il Giardino Armonico; Giovanni Antonini, conductor “Farinelli” Decca 4850215 Jennifer Bellor: Cerulean Twilight Ying Zhang, violin; Andrew Smith, cello; Emily Montoya Barnes, harp; Luc Brust, vibraphone and wind chimes; Gabriela Ordoñez Villalobos, marimba and wind chimes; Tim Jones, percussion; Geoff Neuman, double bass “Reflections at Dusk” Innova 045 Jennifer Fowler: Lament Lontano; Odaline de la Martinez, conductor “Lines Spun” Métier 28588 Agathe Backer Grøndahl: Piano Suite, Op. 20 Charlotte Mueller, piano “Woman’s Work: Music for Solo Piano” MSR Classics 1160 […] Read More
December 7, 2019
In winter all the singing is in the tops of the trees White-Eyes, a poem by Mary Oliver Something a little different for this episode. Poems by women, coupled with music written or performed by women. No explanations, no stories, just the pairing of these two art forms. “Words and Music, Part 2” Michael Torke: Allegro, from Winter’s Tale Julie Albers, cello Albany Symphony Orchestra; David Alan Miller “Three Manhattan Bridges” Albany 1643 I’lana Sandra Cotton: Music for Midwinter Max Lifchitz, piano “American Women Composers” North/South Recordings 1043 Lars-Erik Larsson: A Winter’s Tale New York Scandia Symphony; Dorritt Matson, conductor “Orchestral Works of Lars-Erik Larsson” Centaur 2607 Dominick Argento: Winter Barbara Bonney, soprano; André Previn, piano “Th eShakespeare Concert Series, Vol. 6: No Enemy but Winter and Rough Water” Navona 6134 Daniel Crozier: Winter Aubade Heidi Williams, piano “Drive America” Albany 1298 Antonio Vivaldi: Winter, from the Four Seasons Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; JoAnn Falletta, […] Read More
November 30, 2019
“The best conductors are the best listeners.” – Tom Service Let’s take another listen to ensembles being led by some of today’s leading women at the conductor’s podium. You may be familiar with one or two of the women highlighted today, but most will probably be new to you. But they are all tremendously talented. “At the Helm, Part 2” Greg Edmonson: Main Theme, Uncharted II Eímear Noone, conductor Danish National Symphony Orchestra “Gaming in Symphony” EuroArts 880242677013 Jessie Montgomery: Coincident Dances Mei-Ann Chen, conductor Chicago Sinfonietta “Project W” Cedille 90000 185 Mieczslaw Weinberg: Symphony No. 21, Op. 152 “Kaddish” Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, conductor Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; Kremerata Baltica “Weinberg: Symphonies No. 2 & 21” Deutsche Grammophon 4836566 Astor Piazzolla: Primavera Porteña Lina Gonzalez-Granados, conductor Unitas Ensemble; Cuarteto Latinoamericano “Estaciones” Urtext 279 Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari: Suite Veneziana Ariane Matiakh, conductor Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra “Strauss: Aus Italien, Op. 16 & Wolf-Ferrari: Suite Veneziana” Capriccio 5344 […] Read More
November 23, 2019
“Music is the expression of the movement of the waters, the play of curves described by changing breezes.” – Claude Debussy From the Andes, to the American desert, to the city of Buffalo at the turn of the century. These are the places and journeys that inspired the works on this program. “Music of Place” Lydia Kakabadse: I Remember (excerpts) Clare McCaldin, mezzo-soprano; Paul Turner, piano “Ithaka” Divine Art 25188 Monica Houghton: Andean Suite Dmitri Atapine, cello; Hyeyeon Park, piano “Of Time & Place” Navona 6162 Maggi Payne: Desertscapes Slovak Radio Chorus “Desertscapes: A Portrait of American Women Composers” MMC Recordings 2026 Shirley Mier: Of Lakes and Legends (excerpts) Croatian Chamber Orchestra; Miran Vaupotić, conductor “Legends and Light” Navona 6187 Persis Parshall Vehar: City of Light John Fullam, clarinet Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; JoAnn Falletta, conductor “City of Light” Mark Masters 8643 58:29 Feminine Fusion highlights the roles of women in classical music. […] Read More
November 16, 2019
“A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.” – Chinese proverb It’s been said, “People are always good company when they are doing what they really enjoy.” For a dedicated ensemble, that enjoyment is evident in every note, and this episode features music from several all female ensembles, including an all-female orchestra whose members literally put their lives at risk in order to perform. “All Together Now” Jan Jirásek: Credo/Agnus Dei, fro Missa Propria Jitro Czech Girls Choir; Jiří Skopal, conductor “Parallel Worlds” Navona 6101 Catherine McMichael: Asteria Seraph Brass “Asteria” Summit Records 709 Jan Koetsier: Brass Symphony, Op. 80 tenThing “10” EMI Classics/Warner Classics 5099908832 Paul Ben-Haim: Chamber Music Auréole Trio “Embracing the Wind” AMR 1050 Eric Sweeney: Walk/Don’t Walk Triocca “Triocca: Trios for Flute, Viola and Harp” RTE Lyric FM 122 Sadie Harrison: Interlude from Gulistan-e Nur: The Rosegarden […] Read More
