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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