Feminine Fusion

S06 Ep48: Black and White

by Diane Jones

July 30, 2022

Pianist Anna Shelest

“Rather than talking about the lack of female trumpeters in the 19th century, we should upgrade the women who played instruments and developed the art of piano playing.”  – Lisa Karin Meling

In the 19th century, every gentle lady was expected to play the piano with some proficiency.  There is a tremendous depth to the piano repertoire, and women have stepped out of the parlor and onto the concert stage with incredible performances.  We’ll hear several talented women on this episode, in solo and concert works.

Black and White

Sergei Rachmaninoff:  Prelude in C Minor, Op. 23, No. 7
Vera Gornostaeva, piano
“Discovering a Legend: Vera Gornostaeva, Vol. 2”
LP Classics 1005

Sergei Rachmaninoff:  Prelude in A Minor, Op. 32, No. 8
Vera Gornostaeva, piano
“Discovering a Legend: Vera Gornostaeva, Vol. 2”
LP Classics 1005

Robert Schumann:  Arabeske
Kumi Matsuo, piano
“Kumi Matsuo plays Beethoven, Schumann, Ravel”
Con Brio Recordings 21652

Leos Janacek:  In the Mists
Monica Chew, piano
“Tender & Strange”
Chronicalicous 170001

Barbara Pentland:  Small Pieces for a Shrinking Planet
Rea Beaumont, piano
“A Shrinking Planet”
Shrinking Planet Productions 0088

Anton Rubinstein:  Caprice Russe
Anna Shelest, piano
The Orchestra Now; Neeme Järvi, conductor
“Anton Rubinstein: Piano Concerto No. 4; Caprice Russe”
Sorel Classics 013

Run time:  58:30

Feminine Fusion highlights the roles of women in classical music. Host Diane Jones brings you stories and music of the women who create, perform, and inspire. Produced in the studios at WCNY-FM.