Expand your vernacular

"I have a penchant in particular for elevating, playing, exposing works by underrepresented composers, in particular music by women," says Sophie Lippert, my recent guest on Zeitgeist Radio.  

"[It] has been incredibly rewarding for me to bring my very traditional classical background and training and technical abilities, and give voice to all of this music that isn't being played. It is astonishing to me how much great music is written that is not in the common vernacular."

As promised in the episode, here are a few of her favorite composers from around the world! Enjoy your mid-week classical playlist.

Karen Tanaka (Japan)

Karen Tanaka was born in Tokyo in 1961. She has written works for orchestra, choir, chamber groups, and solo instruments as well as film. She incorporates her love of nature into her work and has won numerous awards and commissions.

​Read about Tanaka here​

​Listen to her work Techno Etudes II (mentioned in the episode)

Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou (Ethiopia)

"Emahoy" is a religious honorific similar to "Sister." Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam was born Yewubdar Guèbrou in Ethiopia in 1923. She lived much of her life as a nun, and wrote music for piano, violin, and organ.

​Read about EmahoyTsengue-Maryam here​

​Listen to her work Homesickness

Na'ama Tamir Kaplan (Israel)

Na'ama Tamir Kaplan was born in Israel in 1984. She has won several awards and honors from institutions dedicated to performing and advancing Jewish art. She writes for orchestra, piano, and small ensemble/solos instruments including harp.

​Read about Kaplan here​

​Listen to her work Cassiopeia

Ulric Cole (USA)

Frances Ulric Cole was born in New York in 1905. She was a founding member of the Society of American Women Composers. She wrote for orchestra, chamber ensemble, and piano.

​Read about Cole here​

​Listen to her work Metropolitones No.1

Listen to the episode