Let it go! It's time to celebrate women's music on WXXI-FM

Women composers’ music has never been more interesting or prolific, and you’ll hear splendid examples of it throughout the month of March.  On Classical 91.5, we'll start the day with inspired music, arts news, features, and the latest headlines.  The Mystery piece airs at 6:40. The Composers Datebook airs at 7:20, Sharp Ears airs Wednesday at 7:20. The Writers Almanac airs at 8:20. 

Monday, March 3   Which film soundtracks won 2014 Academy Awards? We’ll find out, and then meet Richard Strauss, hero, on the Composers Datebook.  Enjoy music by women composers Amy Beach and Joan Tower.  On the Writer’s Almanac, Garrison recalls what shocked audiences at the premiere of the opera Carmen.  We’ll break open a new disc from cellist Steven Isserlis, a recording by pianist Jon Kimura Parker, and Vaughan Williams’ unabashedly romantic Serenade to Music, performed by the RPO with conductor Christopher Seaman.  

We’ll wake with celebratory music for the last day of the Carnival season, the festival that stretches between Epiphany and Mardi Gras Day.  On the playlist: Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture, a stroll through Venice, a musical celebration of pleasure and freedom, and a piece by women composer Rebecca Clarke.  Christopher Rouse appears on the Composers Datebook.  On the Writer’s Almanac, Garrison traces one U.S. state’s eccentric political history.

Wednesday, March 5     WXXI’s Sharp Ears series offers you the chance to learn more about the musicians you hear on the station and what makes them so special.  At 7:20 a.m., cellist Steven Doane lays out the specific reasons he loves listening to his friend Steven Isserlis play the cello.  On the playlist: The Merry Widow, Beethoven’s 2nd symphony, a beautiful anthem for Ash Wednesday, plus colorful pieces by women composers Catrin Finch and Louise Farrenc.

Thursday, March 6     RPO  Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman is back in town.  He’ll chat with pianist Jon Kimura Parker and WXXI’s Julia Figueras.  On the Composers Datebook, we break open Beethoven's Op. 127. We’ll sample recordings featuring music by women composers Margaret Brouwer, Carolyn Bremer, and Jennifer Higdon.

Friday, March 7    Wake to sublime choral music by Gustav Holst, a trip to the seaside, and more amazing women composers’ music, including pieces by Libby Larsen and Yolanda Kondonassis.  Daniel Pinkham pops up on the Composers Datebook.

With no end to winter in sight, here's some comic relief starring Handel's anthem Zadok the Priest. Let's hope no one was really hurt . . .