Chords and Queens

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 unrave...

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 resili...

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...

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 caree...

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://t...

 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 c...

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 Caroli...

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. 

Welcome to Chords and Queens podcast where we uncover the untold stories of the world’s most captivating female composers—with a fresh, modern twist!  Today, we’re starting at the very beginning with the OG of all OGs: Hildegard von Bingen. She’s the matriarch, the mystic, the literal saint—and maybe even the medieval Stevie Nicks. Let’s find out together!