Feminine Fusion

S5-13: Women of Color, Performers – Part 5

by Diane Jones

November 28, 2020

Nokuthula Ngwenyama
(photo by Mark Morgan)

“When I sing, I don’t want them to see that my face is black.  I don’t want them to see that my face is white.  I want them to see my soul.  And that is colorless.” – Marian Anderson

Musicians of color still represent a small portion of orchestral musicians today.  But we are making headway, and the women on today’s program show that their talent is not defined by their heritage.  And when a youngster sees them performing on stage, sees someone who looks like themselves, they realize they can aspire to great performances as well.

Women of Color: Performers, Part 5

Clara Schumann:  Moderato, from Three Romances, Op. 11
Isata Kanneh-Mason, piano
“Romance”
Decca 4850020

Michael Brown:  Echoes of Byzantium
Elena Uroiste, violin
Michael Brown, piano
“Echoes – Works for violin and piano”
BIS 2284

J.S. Bach:  Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004
Nokuthula Ngwenyama, viola
“J.S. Bach – Partitas”
EDI Records

Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson:  Lamentations: A Black Folk Song Suite
Tahirah Whittington, cello
“Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson: A Celebration”
Cedille 90000 087

J.S. Bach:  Du machst, o Tod, mir nun nicht ferner bange
Marian Anderson, contralto
Choral Arts Society and Orchestra; William Jonson, conductor
Boston 1036

58:29

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.