Sacred songs and arias by women composers: A survey of the literature and performer's analysis of selected works by Isabella Leonarda, Luise Reichardt, Ethel Smyth, Violet Archer, Margaret Bonds and Edith Borroff

This document is written in support of a recital of sacred songs and arias by women composers. It is divided into two sections: a survey of sacred music, specifically sacred arts songs and sacred arias from larger works, and a performer's analysis of selected works drawn from the research of the first part. The survey begins with the commercial printing of music around 1500 and extends to 1994. Countries from around the world are represented, some more broadly than others. Biographical information, when available, is given for each composer featured in the survey as well as some discussion of her general compositional style and output. Greater attention is given to the composer's sacred music, especially compositions that involve the solo voice. Composers who wrote very little sacred music for the solo voice are mentioned only briefly. The performer's analysis includes biographical information on each composer as well as a discussion of her general style, significant compositions, honors and awards and sphere of influence. In the analysis of the pieces, attention is focused on elements in the music that affect its performance. The selected works include Volo Jesum, a solo motet by Isabella Leonarda, "An Maria," "Stille der Andacht" and "Die Blume der Blumen," three art songs by Luise Reichardt, "Benedictus" from Mass in D by Ethel Smyth, Violet Archer's Three Biblical Songs, Five Spirituals by Margaret Bonds and Missa Patrinae Rerum Domini, a setting of the mass for solo voice by Edith Borroff. The appendices include work lists of the selected composers, IPA transcriptions of the pieces, a chronological listing of composers, and a copy of the program, program notes and lecture from the recital. An extensive bibliography is included.

ISBN: 9780591550726