In this episode, we explore the remarkable life of Nobu Kōda (1870–1946). Essentially Japan’s first composer to write in the Western classical style and one of the earliest Japanese musicians to study abroad. Born during the Meiji Restoration, a time when women were expected to become “good wives and wise mothers,” Kōda defied convention to study music in Boston and Vienna, bringing Western traditions back to Japan and transforming its musical landscape. From teaching the future creator of the Suzuki Method to breaking barriers as a performer and educator, Kōda’s story is one of courage, innovation, and quiet revolution.
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On today's episode we highlight the remarkable life of Croatian composer Dora Pejačević, from her aristocratic upbringing to her most defining musical achievements. Perhaps we playfully argue that her mix of talent, rebellion, and rich personal story makes her worthy of Disney level fame.
Symphony in F Sharp Minor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=940dNX5zHEU
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On todays episode we uncover the stories of the first female conductors - Josephine Amann-Weinlich and Antonia Brico - the first women to break onto the conductor’s podium in a world that said they didn’t belong there. From all female orchestras to historic debuts, this episode uncovers the grit, genius, and resilience that helped change classical music forever.
Antonia Brico: Portrait of a Woman Documentary (2022 Restoration) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHE9lLjUpuM&t=1s
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Ruth Gipps was a composer, conductor, and musician of exception skill and talent. In this episode, we uncover the life of a prodigy turned trailblazer who battled sexism and the changing musical fashions to forge her own path. From her lush, lyrical symphonies to her fierce determination as a conductor, Ruth was often branded difficult, but maybe she was just misunderstood?
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In this episode, we look at the extraordinary career of trumpet soloist Alison Balsom and the announcement of her retirement in 2025. From breaking barriers in the brass world to inspiring a new generation of musicians, Alison’s legacy is undeniable - but does the media’s response to her retirement reveal how sexism still shapes the way female musicians are portrayed?
The Brass Ceiling Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUA62xbanLE
Alison Balsom on the Trumpet Concerto of Wynton Marsalis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx_umf4Mc5I
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In today’s episode, we explore how the immensely talented artist Laufey is reinventing what it means to be classically trained. From her viral rise on TikTok to her Grammy-winning album Bewitched and her latest release A Matter of Time, Laufey proves that classical roots can thrive far beyond the concert hall.
This episode unpacks her story, her music, and her role in inspiring a new generation to see classical training not as a cage, but as a foundation for limitless creativity.
Articles Referenced:
The Day the Music Dies? Why time is running out to tackle the decline in UK music educationhttps://www.rncm.ac.uk/news/the-day-the-music-dies-why-time-is-running-out-to-tackle-the-decline-in-uk-music-education/
Nicola Benedetti: ‘Classical music is threatened by young people’s lack of basic discipline’https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/classical-music/nicola-benedetti-interview/
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In this episode, we step into the vibrant world of Errollyn Wallen. The pioneering Belize-born British composer whose music blurs the lines between classical, jazz, and popular music,
We explore the twists and turns of her remarkable journey, from studying dance to becoming the first Black woman to have her work performed at the Proms, to becoming Master of the Kings Music. We explore her creative process, her inspiration for some of her greatest works, and why sometimes the best way to start a day is with cake for breakfast!
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In today’s episode, we’re diving into four hauntingly beautiful works by female composers. Setting you up for the perfect spooky playlist - just in time for Autumn.
Full Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZRPsVhWnjw&list=PLFdg885z67oCu7p-c-sNoT4TdgvxQubGj&pp=gAQBIndividual Pieces
Photography: III. — Errollyn Wallen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZRPsVhWnjwCaroline Shaw The Observatory - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqMK-eeO9nQDelia Derbyshire - Depression: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQEYdgY2M8UAnna Thorvaldsdottir - Ubique XI - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBkN-_E7sNo&list=OLAK5uy_nEpEfzlpI3qB9dxuU1NcbxM4XDP4f7ZIs&index=11✨New Episodes Every Monday✨Let’s Get Social 📱For more Classical Queens, follow us on: Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueensTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueensInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueens
Avril Coleridge-Taylor carved her own path in the world of classical music. From her groundbreaking role as one of Britain’s few prominent female conductors to her rich, overlooked compositions, Avril’s story is one of talent, resilience, and quiet rebellion. This podcast uncovers her music, her mental health struggles and the legacy she fought to leave behind.
Sussex Landscape by Chineke! Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbT5NCaVgm0
PDF Catalogue of work by Avril Coleridge Taylor: https://leahbroad.substack.com/p/cataloguing-avril-coleridge-taylor
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Dive into the extraordinary life of Nadia Boulanger. Composer, conductor, and legendary teacher to some of the 20th century’s greatest musicians. From falling in love with the sound of fire bells to her deep bond with her sister Lili, this episode explores how Nadia shaped the sound of modern music while redefining what it meant to lead, teach, and inspire.
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Step into the remarkable life of Lili Boulanger, the French composer who shattered expectations and redefined classical music in the early 20th century. From winning the coveted Prix de Rome at just 19 to composing emotionally powerful works that still resonate today, Lili’s journey is as inspiring as it is heartbreaking. And yes - long before Lizzie McGuire had her Roman moment, Lili was already living la dolce vita in the Eternal City… but with less purple flared trousers (probably).
Prelude in D flat Major: https://ks15.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/6/65/IMSLP871321-PMLP103926-boulnger_prelue.mp3
Cortège: https://s9.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/2/23/IMSLP871319-PMLP32360-boulnger_cortege.mp3
Psalm 130: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flLZmONu6ls
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Vítězslava Kaprálová was a prodigy, a pioneer, and a woman who dared to compose. Born in 1915 in Brno, she rose quickly through the musical ranks of Europe, becoming one of the first female conductors to lead the Czech Philharmonic. Her life was brilliant but heartbreakingly brief as she died at just 25, leaving behind a body of work that feels both defiant and intimate.
In this episode, we unravel Kaprálová’s story - her art, ambition, and the lingering sense of “what could have been.” Along the way, we’ll explore the socio-political minefield she navigated as a woman in music between two world wars, and the deep emotional currents running through her compositions.
This episode features the hauntingly beautiful Smutný večer (Sad Evening), performed by The Art Song Project, whose sensitive interpretation helps breathe life into one of Kaprálová’s most poignant pieces preformed by soprano Hélène Lindqvist and pianist Philipp Vogler. You can find their full recording and translation at:
https://theartsongproject.com/vitezslava-kapralova-studeny-vecer-cold-evening/
Also take a look at more of their works on the website: https://theartsongproject.com
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In this episode, we journey into the extraordinary, and often misunderstood life of Barbara Strozzi, one of the Baroque era’s boldest musical voices. Born in 1619 to a world that didn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for ambitious women, Barbara carved out a career as a composer, performer, and intellectual at a time when women were expected to stay silent.
But behind the arias and accolades was a woman navigating a precarious social position - unmarried, a mother, and often the target of scandalous gossip. We’ll explore the myths, the music, and the real woman behind the manuscripts: a composer whose work explored love, desire, and the inner lives of women with a voice that still resonates today.
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Step into the world of Wanda Landowska, the revolutionary harpsichordist who brought early music back to life in the 20th century. In this episode, we explore her groundbreaking performances, her role as an educator, and her fierce dedication to reviving the baroque in a time obsessed with the new. From salons in Paris to wartime exile and lasting musical legacy, Landowska’s story is one of resilience, brilliance, and bold reinvention.
Perhaps we draw some unexpected parallels between Landowska and modern pop icon Lana Del Rey—two artists, a century apart, united by their nostalgic aesthetics, emotional intensity, and ability to reframe the past for a new audience.
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In 1850, Louise Farrenc did something revolutionary: she demanded equal pay. As the only woman professor at the prestigious Paris Conservatory, this French composer and pianist fought for—and won—the same salary as her male colleagues, becoming one of history's first documented cases of successful equal pay advocacy.
But Farrenc was far more than a trailblazing educator. Over her 40-year career, she composed 49 major works including three symphonies, two piano quintets, and a nonet that challenged the male-dominated world of 19th-century classical music. From her early virtuosic piano variations based on popular operas to her mature chamber works that rivaled those of her contemporaries, Farrenc created a musical legacy that was systematically overlooked for over a century.
Join us as we explore the life and music of a woman who refused to be silenced—from her salon performances in 1820s Paris to her groundbreaking orchestral works that are finally receiving the recognition they deserve. We'll hear excerpts from her most powerful compositions and uncover how one composer's fight for fairness helped pave the way for future generations of women in music.
Music Featured:
La Grand Mère
Nonet, Op.38
Available: https://imslp.org/wiki/Nonet%2C_Op.38_(Farrenc%2C_Louise)
Performance by the Horizon Ensemble in June 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU4jJ0Gj9b4&t=3979s
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In this episode we explore the remarkable life of Florence Price, the first Black woman to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra. From her early days in Little Rock to her groundbreaking works in Chicago, this episode paints a portrait of a pioneering artist who left an undeniable mark on both American music and the fight for equality.
Featuring Music from The Art Song Project: https://theartsongproject.com/florence-b-price/
Soprano - Hélène Lindqvist
Piano - Philipp Vogler
A trailblazer in classical music, Amy Beach was not only the first successful American female composer of large-scale art music but also a formidable pianist and a self-taught musical genius. So I’m excited that together we'll explore her early life, her musical journey including looking at her Gaelic Symphony, her groundbreaking compositions, and the lasting impact she left on the world of classical music.
Usually on the podcast we spotlight one composer and focus on their life, their life drama, sometimes their love lives. Today, we’re diving into four incredible pieces composed by women, each representing a different era and style of classical music. We’ve got Das Jahr by Fanny Mendelssohn, Gaelic Symphony by Amy Beach, Symphony No. 1 in E Minor by Florence Price and Partita for 8 Voices by Caroline Shaw.
Hello there, and welcome to Chords and Queens - the podcast exploring the fascinating stories of influential female musicians and composers throughout history. On Todays episode we’re going to talk about Clara Schumann and her similarities to Beyonce?
Welcome to chords and queens, the podcast where we celebrate the extraordinary lives and works of female composers. Today, we’re diving into the remarkable life of Ethel Smyth—a composer, activist, and a feminist who shattered barriers in both music and society. We talk about her early life, her musical works and her involvement with the Suffragettes.