“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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 30 - May 6 | Patchwork Quilt, Part XXXII | Time to add another block to our Patchwork Quilt of great music composed and performed by women | |
| May 7 - 13 | A Little Romance | Women who were composing during the Romantic period. How many can you think of? | |
| May 14 - 20 | Twos and Threes | Women performing as duos and trios | |
| May 21 - 27 | Four and More | All-female quartets, quintets, and beyond | |
| May 28 - June 3 | Patchwork Quilt, Part XXXIII | Time to add another block to our Patchwork Quilt of great music composed and performed by women | |
| June 4 - 10 | Around the World: East | Let's start another trip around the world, looking to the classical works coming out of Asia | |
| June 11 - 17 | Around the World: West | Our trip around the world continues with classical works from Europe. | |
| June 18 - 24 | Around the World: North | More world travels as we travel north to Canada, Finland, and more | |
| June 25 - July 1 | Around the World: South | Our world trip takes us below the equator, to classical music from the southern hemisphere | |
| July 2 - 8 | Around the World: Coming Home | We've traveled to points around the globe. Now it's time to hear the music being created here in the US. |
June 25, 2022
“The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers.” – Roy Ayers We are continuing our trek around the world with works and performances from women in the Southern Hemisphere. “Looking South” Gaetano Donizetti: S’avanza Enrico! (from Lucia di Lammermoor) Pretty Yende, soprano Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano “Giuseppe Verdi”; Giacomo Sagripanti, conductor “Dreams” Sony Classical 88985430152 Alice Terzian: Tres Piezas Siberian State Symphony Orchestra; Vladimir Lande, conductor “Off The Edge” Navona 6088 Astor Piazzolla: Tres Movimentos Sinfonicos, Buenos Aires Janjo Mosalini, bandonéon Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra; Gisele Ben-Dor “The Soul of Tango” Delos 3345 Dennis Eberhard: Especially… Alice Giles, harp “Especially…” Tall Poppies 213 Traditional, arr. by Carlos Salzedo: Annie Laurie Alice Giles, harp “Song in the Night” ABC Classics 4765250 Run time: 58:29 Feminine Fusion highlights the roles of women in classical music. Host Diane Jones brings you stories […] Read More
June 18, 2022
“Music is the universal language of mankind.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow This week, we’re setting off together on a trip around the world. We’ll be heading to all points on the compass to hear music by women all over the globe. We’ll start by heading North, with music composed and performed by women from Canada. “Looking North” Erik Satie: Choses vue a droite et a gauche Chantal Juillet, violin; Pascal Rogé, piano “Satie: The 4 Handed Piano” London/Decca 455401 J.S. Bach: Aria, from Cantata No. 32: Liebster, Jesu, mein Verlangen Lois Marshall, soprano Bach Aria Group; Brian Priestman, conductor Boston Recordings 1037 Johann Nepomuk Hummel: Grand Concerto for Bassoon & Orchestra Nadina Mackie Jackson, bassoon Toronto Chamber Orchestra; Nicholas McGegan, conductor “Romanza” MSR Classics 1232 Eleanor Joanne Daley: Prayer for Peace Amadeus Choir, Bach Children’s Chorus, Bach Chamber Youth Choir Lydia Adams, Linda Beaupré – directors Eleanor Daley (organ) “Voices of Earth” Centrediscs […] Read More
June 11, 2022
“Challenges are what you feed off as a composer.” – Charlotte Bray This week we continue our trip around the world with a look to the West. These are works firmly rooted in the western classical tradition, but the women creating them are making them their own. Around the World: West Lera Auerbach: Amen, from 72 Angels Netherland Chamber Choir; Peter Dijkstra, conductor Raschèr String Quartet “Lera Auerbach: 72 Angels” Alpha 593 Charlotte Bray: Zustände Mariani Klavierquartett “Charlotte Bray: Chamber & Solo Works” Alliance 6371 Dani Howard: Symmetry Mainly Two “Live at Listenpony: Mainly Two” Listenpony 001 Christine Ott: Pluie Christine Ott, ondes Martenot Mathieu Gabry, percussion “Time to Die” Bandcamp Dobrinka Tabakova: Modètudes Marina Staneva, piano “Slavic Roots” Chandos 20251 Galina Ustvolskaya: Clarinet Trio (1949) David Howard, clarinet; Johnny Lee, violin; Vicki Ray, piano “David Howard Plays Clarinet Works” Yarlung 78874 Run time: 58:30 Feminine […] Read More
June 4, 2022
“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” – Mary Anne Radmacher Let’s step out and start a trip around the world. Over the next several weeks, we’ll reach to all points on the compass, starting with today’s program of music composed by women with roots in Asia. Around the World: East Anoushka Shankar (with Manu Delago): Say Your Prayers Anoushka Shankar, sitar; Manu Delago, drum; Larra Grenadier, bass guitar “Land of Gold” Deutsche Grammophon 4795459 Fang Man: Soundscapes of the Four Seasons Rosewind Duo “Devils Garden/Angels Landing” Equilibrium 1000842 Hi Kyung Kim: Trio “Sori” Sengmi Suh, daegeum; John Sackett, clarinet; Jean-Michel Fonteneau, cello “Crystal Drops” Albany 1002 Ushio Torikai: Rest Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus; Kenji Ohtani, director “Rest” Innova 722 Mari Takano: Flute Concerto Sharon Bezaly, flute Swedish Chamber Orchestra; Anne Manson, conductor “LigAlien: Music by Mari Takano” BIS […] Read More
May 28, 2022
“When I hear music, I see movement.” – Beth Mehocic Time for another Patchwork Quilt episode. No special theme, just outstanding works from women in the classical music world. Patchwork Quilt, Part XXXII Flutronix & Third Coast Percussion: Play, from Rubix Flutronix (Nathalie Joachim & Allison Loggins-Hull) Third Coast Percussion “Perspectives” Cedille 210 Sofia Gubaidulina: Chaconne Oda Voltersvik, piano “Neo” Rubicon 1059 Rebecca Clarke: Dumka Vinciane Bèranger, viola Hélène Collerette, violin; Dana Ciocarlie, piano “Rebecca Clarke: Works for Viola” Aparte 289 Beth Mehocic: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra Charlene Farrugia, piano Croatian Chamber Orchestra; Miran Vaupotíc, conductor “Collected Works of Beth Mehocic” Navona 6410 Alexander Arutiunian: Impromptu Aznavoorian Duo (Ani Aznavoorian, cello; Marta Aznavoorian, piano) “Gems from Armenia” Cedille 209 Roxanna Panufnik: Hora Bessarabia Joo Yeon Sir, violin “Solitude” Rubicon Run time: 58:30 Feminine Fusion highlights the roles of women in classical music. Host Diane Jones brings you […] Read More
May 21, 2022
“If we were all determined to play first violin we would never have an ensemble. Therefore, respect every musician in [their] place.” – Robert Schumann For a dedicated chamber group, their enjoyment of their music is inherent in every note. This week, brass music, vocal music, even an electric string quartet, from all-female chamber ensembles. Four and More Coldplay: Atlas Atlys “Atlys” Independent Jetse Bremer: Shall I compare the to a summer’s day? & Sigh No More, Ladies Wishful Singing “Time Travels” Wishful Singing Productions Camille Saint-Saens: Africa, Op. 89 Salut Salon “Carnival Fantasy” Warner Music Group John Williams, Klaus Doldinger, Kurt Weill: Shark Medley Salut Salon “Carnival Fantasy” Warner Music Group Anthony Plog: Mosaics Stiletto Brass Quintet “Stiletto Brass quintet with Doc Severinsen” CD Baby George Gershwin, arr. by Velvet Brown: Summertime Fantasy Stiletto Brass Quintet “Stiletto Brass quintet with Doc Severinsen” CD Baby Philip Glass: Suite from The Hours, Mvt. […] Read More
May 14, 2022
“When you’re wandering very deep in the woods, in the middle of the piece, you feel like you know where you are and where you want to get back to” – Emily Bruskin It’s a celebration of the strength and talents of women performing together, with performances from duos and trios. Some of these partnerships are relatively new, while one is celebrating more than 20 years of playing together. composed despite society’s bias. Twos and Threes Astor Piazzolla: Tanti anni prima (Ave Maria) Trio Con Abbandono “Trio Con Abbandono” Kaleidos Musikeditionen 6318-2 Gaetano Corticelli: Gran Trio No. 3 Clementi Trio “Corticelli: I tre generi” Da Vinci Classics 00382 Hans Haug: Capriccio pour flûte et guitare Duo Diversitas “Ex Aequo” Naxos 8551455 Beethoven, arr. by Eliane Rodrigues: Symphony No. 9 (excerpt) Eliane Rodrigues & Nina Smeets, pianos “Götterfunken” Navona 6382 Kati Agócs: Queen of Hearts Claremont Trio “Queen of Hearts” Tria […] Read More
May 6, 2022
“I once believed that I possessed creative talent, but I have given up this idea; a woman must not desire to compose – there has never yet been one able to do it.” – Clara Schumann In 1975, musicologist Edith Borroff presented a paper titled “Women Composers: Reminiscence and History,” and said, “Composition was considered unsuitable to the female sex, save for those exercises which could enhance the performing technique.” Today we’ll hear works by women who composed despite society’s bias. A Little Romance Teresa Carreño: Waltz, Op. 1 Margot Dilmaghani, piano “Listen to the Ladies!” Celebration 7 Clara Schumann: Six Songs, Op. 13 Barbara Bonney, soprano Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano “Schumann Lieder” London 452898 Cécile Chaminade: Concertino for Flute and Piano, Op. 107 Mary Palchak, flute John Novacek, piano “Flute Music by French Composers” Ambassador 1016 Clara Kathleen Rogers: Sonata for Violin & Piano, Op. 25 Elaine Skorodin, violin; […] Read More
April 30, 2022
“Music, in performance, is a type of sculpture. The air in the performance is sculpted into something.” – Frank Zappa Like a patchwork quilt, today’s program comes from many different sources and ideas, all woven into form by the women who create the music. Patchwork Quilt, Part XXXII Eleanor Alberga: Jamaican Medley Maria Thompson Corley, piano “Soulscapes 2” MSR Classics 1744 Karl Kohn: Soliloquy IV Rachel Rudich, flute “Encounters: Complete Works for Flute” Bridge 9566 Rain Worthington: Dreaming Through Fog Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra; Stanislav Vavrinek, conductor “Passsages Through Time: The Music of Rain Worthington” Navona 6398 Mary Lou Williams: St. Martin de Porres Border Crossing; Ahmed Anzaldúa, conductor Kevin Gamble, piano; Keith Yanes, string bass; Nicolás Muñoz, percussin “Un Milagro de fe: A Miracle of Faith” Bridge 9568 Manuel de Falla: Suite Populaire Espagnole (excerpt) Miriam K. Smith, cello; Jacob Miller, piano “Flaire” MSR Classics 1780 Tara Guram: Piano […] Read More
April 23, 2022
“The fluteplayer puts breath into a flute, and who makes the music? Not the flute. The flutplayer!” – Rumi There is an undeniable connection between breath and sound when you think of wind instrumentalists. This week we’ll listen to performances from women whose music literally takes their breath away to a new place and sound. Breath and Sound, Part 2 Claude Debussy: Clair de lune Nicole Esposito, flute Çağatay Akyol, harp “Dancing in Dreams” MSR Classics 1790 August Eberhard Müller: Flute Concerto No. 5, Op. 19 (excerpt) Tatjana Ruhland, flute Pforzheim Chamber Orchestra; Timo Handschuh, conductor “August Eberhard Müller: Flute Concertos, Vol. 2” CPO 555403-2 Unsuk Chin: Advice from a Caterpillar Alicia Lee, bass clarinet “Conversations With Myself” New Focus Recordings 302 Richard Strauss: Oboe Concerto in D Major Cristina Gómez Godoy, oboe West-Eastern Divan Orchestra; Daniel Barenboim, conductor “Mozart & Strauss: Oboe Concertos” Warner Classics 9029507760 Alyssa Morris: Ruminations […] Read More
