Podcast about the lives and work of female composers is an extraordinary musical journey through the biographies and creations of women who composed, inspired, and pushed beyond the limits of their time. Each episode weaves storytelling with sound: carefully chosen piano excerpts bring the narrative to life and deepen your immersion in the worlds of the featured composers. It is an encounter with music that not only sounds beautiful, but also makes history.
Project realised under the scholarship of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland.
EPISODE 1: Maria Szymanowska
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Maria Szymanowska was a true pioneer: she built her career as a pianist independently, forged her own path, and broke the conventions of her era. In this episode, we explore her as an outstanding pianist, a composer, and a woman who transcended the boundaries of her time. The presentation is complemented by piano excerpts of her compositions:
Six marches: D major No. 3
18 Danses de Différent Genre: Polonez in F minor No. 4
Nocturne in A-flat major “Le Murmure”
Caprice sur la romance de Joconde [bars 1-8]
18 Danses de Différent Genre: Waltz in E-flat major No. 5 [bars 1-8]
18 Danses de Différent Genre: Cotillion in A-flat major No. 18 (Valse)
18 Danses de Différent Genre: Mazurka in C major No. 17 [bars 1-8]
Played and hosted by: Aleksandra Bobrowska
Realised under the scholarship of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland.
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EPISODE 2: Mel Bonis
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Mel Bonis was a French composer active at the turn of the 20th century whose work long remained in the shadows of history, but is now increasingly performed and recorded. This episode of the series “Female Composers – a musical podcast with a pinch of history” explores her remarkable life story, musical sensibility, and the world in which she created her art. Special attention is also given to the figures featured in her “Femmes de Légende” cycle, which provides important context for her artistic journey.
La Chanson du rouet op. 24 [excerpt]
Cinq pièces musicales: Menuet op.14 [excerpt]
Cinq pièces musicales: Eglogue op.12 [excerpt]
Cinq pièces musicales: Gai Printemps op.11 [excerpt]
Cinq pièces musicales: Papillons op.28
Femmes de légende:
Mélisande op. 109
Desdémona op. 101
Ophélie op. 165
Viviane op. 80
Phœbé op. 30
Salomé op. 100
Omphale op. 86
Les Gitanos op.15
Played and hosted by: Aleksandra Bobrowska
Realised under the scholarship of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland.
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EPISODE 3: Poldowski
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Poldowski (Irena Wieniawska) was a nonconformist icon of the early 20th-century artistic bohemia. The daughter of the renowned Polish violinist and composer Henryk Wieniawski, she conquered European salons under a male pseudonym as a brilliant composer of sophisticated art songs. She lived life on her own terms: she married a British baronet and, alongside her musical career, successfully ran a luxury fashion boutique in London. She was an extraordinary, original figure – though one whose story also held a tragic dimension. Her life history will be accompanied by her music:
Poldowski – Two Songs: Down by the Salley Gardens (Danae Eleni – voice, Aleksandra Bobrowska – piano; Warsaw, 2022),
Poldowski – Colombine (DUO ALDICE: Candice Ielo – voice, Aleksandra Bobrowska – piano; Warsaw, 2019),
Poldowski – A Poor Young Shepherd (transcription: A. Bobrowska),
Poldowski – Spleen (transcription: A. Bobrowska),
Poldowski – Dimanche d’Avril (transcription: A. Bobrowska),
Poldowski – Cythère (transcription: A. Bobrowska) – excerpt,
Poldowski – Dans une Musette (transcription: A. Bobrowska) – excerpt,
Poldowski – Berceuse d’Armorique (transcription: A. Bobrowska) – excerpt,
Poldowski – Impression Fausse (transcription: A. Bobrowska) – excerpt,
Poldowski – l’Heure exquise (transcription: A. Bobrowska) – excerpt,
Poldowski – En Sourdine (transcription: A. Bobrowska) – excerpt.
Played and hosted by: Aleksandra Bobrowska
Realised under the scholarship of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland.