Jenni Murray's Women Composers [Music Matters]

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

It's All Right Now ... Isn't It?

20250329

Jenni Murray concludes her series celebrating the music of women composers with a final fabulous playlist of great music, classic and modern, and exploring the issues women face in forging a career as a composer.

8. It's all right now ... isn't it? Jenni is joined by composer Anna Meredith to take stock of the progress that women composers have made over the past centuries in the face of often great prejudice and adversity, and to look to the future - what obstacles still remain and what solutions still need to be found? The playlist includes music by Mel Bonis, Peggy Glanville-Hicks, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Anna Clyne, Caroline Shaw and Dani Howard.

Producer: Graham Rogers

To listen on most smart speakers say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters

Celebrates the achievements of women composers and looks to the future, with Anna Meredith

The stories that matter, the people that matter, the music that matters

Jenni Murray is joined by composer Anna Meredith to celebrate the music of women composers, take stock of their great achievements and assess the obstacles they still face.

[LISTEN NOW]

Undercover

20250322

Jenni Murray continues her celebration of the music of women composers, presenting a fabulous playlist of great music, classic and modern, and exploring the issues women have faced in forging careers as composers.

7. Undercover. Jenni is joined by composer-conductors Odaline de la Martinez and Yshani Perinpanayagam to uncover the stories of women composers publishing under pseudonyms, often to neutralise gender or cultural prejudice - from the Baroque composer “Mrs Philarmonica ?, whose real identity is still unknown today, to the British composer Amanda Aldridge, whose music found great success published under the name “Montague Ring ?. Do women composers today still hide their true identities in order for their work to be seen and heard?

Producer: Graham Rogers

Jenni Murray celebrates the music of women composers

The stories that matter, the people that matter, the music that matters

Jenni Murray is joined by composer-conductors Odaline de la Martinez and Yshani Perinpanayagam to uncover the women composers who have published under pseudonyms.

[LISTEN NOW]

Why Women, Why Now?

20250208

Women have always composed - but, far more than with their male contemporaries, obstacles have been thrown in their way. In this new series, Jenni Murray explores some of the avenues women composers have taken to overcome these challenges, offering insight into their music and illuminating the cultural and human stories which resonate today, as well as celebrating the music itself with a vibrant playlist of some of the very best music by women.

1: Why women, why now? To ask whether or why we still need to talk about “women composers' in the 21st Century, and to look at some of the historical reasons why women's voices have often not been heard and the progress made over the past couple of decades, Jenni is joined by Master of the King's Music Errollyn Wallen.

The playlist includes classics by Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn, Amy Beach and Ethel Smyth, alongside gems from contemporary composers Joan Tower and Sally Beamish, plus gaming music by Michiru Yamane and a film score by Laura Karpman - a barnstorming track from 2023 superhero movie The Marvels.

To listen on most smart speakers say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters

Jenni Murray celebrates music composed by women.

Jenni Murray is joined by Master of the King's Music Errollyn Wallen for the first in a new series devoted to the music of women composers.

Jenni is joined by Errollyn Wallen to celebrate the music of women composers

[LISTEN NOW]

The Professionals

20250215

Women have always composed - but many obstacles have been thrown in their way. In this series, Jenni Murray explores some of the avenues women composers have taken to overcome these challenges, offering insight into their music and illuminating the cultural and human stories which resonate today, as well as celebrating the music itself with a vibrant playlist of some of the very best music by women.

2: The Professionals. In this second episode, Jenni is joined by Natalie Holt, composer of soundtracks for hit sci-fi series Loki and Obi Wan, and Leah Broad, author of the award-winning book Quartet: How Four Women Challenged the Musical World, to explore the opportunities and barriers for women to make their living as composers, from Italian Renaissance musician Maddalena Casulana to today's film and gaming composers.

The playlist ranges from the 16th Century to the present day, with gems by Louise Farrenc and Avril Coleridge-Taylor alongside more recent classics by Dorothy Carwithen and Jennifer Higdon, and film and TV music by Rachel Portman and Natalie Holt.

To listen on most smart speakers say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters

Women who have made it as career composers, with Natalie Holt (Loki and Obi Wan)

Jenni Murray is joined by composer Natalie Holt (Loki and Obi Wan) and writer Leah Broad (Quartet) for a programme celebrating the music of women who made it as career composers.

Jenni Murray celebrates music composed by women

Jenni Murray is joined by composer Natalie Holt and writer Leah Broad for a programme devoted to the music of women composers.

[LISTEN NOW]

Play It Yourself

20250222

3. Play it Yourself. Jenni looks at women composers who have performed their own music, from musicians of the Baroque era such as Barbara Strozzi, through to 20th Century jazz giant Nina Simone and contemporary cellist-vocalist-composer Ayanna Witter-Johnson. To introduce the music, and to discuss whether performing your own music is still one of the best ways for composers to communicate their own work, Jenni is joined by pianist Joanna MacGregor and writer Kate Kennedy.

Celebrating the music of women composer-performers from Clara Schumann to Nina Simone

Jenni Murray is joined by pianist Joanna MacGregor and writer Kate Kennedy to celebrate the music of women who have performed their own music, from Amy Beach to Nina Simone.

Jenni Murray celebrates the music of women composers

[LISTEN NOW]

Religion

20250301

4. Religion. Jenni is joined by composer Roxanna Panufnik and choral conductor Suzi Digby to discover the role religion has played in the careers of women composers, from the 8th century Byzantine-Greek nun Kassia, through Abbess Hildegard of Bingen, to Ethiopian composer Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou, who died in 2023. They also explore the enduring influence of mysticism on 20th Century figures like jazz composer-performer Alice Coltrane, and the meeting of multi faiths in the work of contemporary composer Reena Esmail.

To listen on most smart speakers say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters

How religion has shaped the music of women, from Hildegard of Bingen to Alice Coltrane.

Jenni Murray is joined by composer Roxanna Panufnik and conductor Suzi Digby to celebrate religious music by women composers, and explore the role of religion in their careers.

[LISTEN NOW]

Happy Families

20250308

5. Happy families. Jenni is joined by director Jude Kelly and lecturer Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, mother to internationally acclaimed artists including cellist Sheku and pianist Isata, to explore the role of families in the careers of women composers - from 19th Century figures such as Clara Schumann, Alma Mahler and Amy Beach, whose husbands tried, often successfully, to quash their creativity, through to the present day and asking whether young female composers are given the support they need from their families and communities.

To listen on most smart speakers say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters

Jude Kelly and Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason on the impact of families on women composers' careers.

Jenni Murray is joined by director Jude Kelly and lecturer Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason to explore the impact of parents, siblings, partners and children on the careers of women composers.

[LISTEN NOW]

Rich And Powerful

20250315

6. Rich and Powerful. Jenni is joined by composer Cassie Kinoshi and Sophie Fuller, Professor of Gender and Music at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, to consider the freedom afforded to women composers by money and connections. Ranging from the 12th Century Trobairitz (French troubadours) and the 18th Century Duchess Anna Amalia of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel to Croatian Dora Pejacevic, who rejected her aristocratic background. Jenni also explores whether financial status and a “who you know ? culture still impacts on opportunities for young composers.

To listen on most smart speakers say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters

Jenni explores the roles of money and connections in the careers of women composers

Jenni Murray is joined by composer Cassie Kinoshi and writer Sophie Fuller to consider the freedom afforded to women composers by money and connections.

[LISTEN NOW]

Undercover

20250322

Jenni Murray celebrates the music of women composers

Jenni Murray is joined by composer-conductors Odaline de la Martinez and Yshani Perinpanayagam to uncover the women composers who have published under pseudonyms.

[LISTEN NOW]

It's All Right Now ... Isn't It?

20250329

To listen on most smart speakers say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters

Celebrates the achievements of women composers and looks to the future, with Anna Meredith

Jenni Murray is joined by composer Anna Meredith to celebrate the music of women composers, take stock of their great achievements and assess the obstacles they still face.

[LISTEN NOW]

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
	It's All Right Now ... Isn't It?	20250329	Jenni Murray concludes her series celebrating the music of women composers with a final fabulous playlist of great music, classic and modern, and exploring the issues women face in forging a career as a composer. 8. It's all right now ... isn't it? Jenni is joined by composer Anna Meredith to take stock of the progress that women composers have made over the past centuries in the face of often great prejudice and adversity, and to look to the future - what obstacles still remain and what solutions still need to be found? The playlist includes music by Mel Bonis, Peggy Glanville-Hicks, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Anna Clyne, Caroline Shaw and Dani Howard. Producer: Graham Rogers To listen on most smart speakers say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters Celebrates the achievements of women composers and looks to the future, with Anna Meredith The stories that matter, the people that matter, the music that matters Jenni Murray is joined by composer Anna Meredith to celebrate the music of women composers, take stock of their great achievements and assess the obstacles they still face. [LISTEN NOW]
	Undercover	20250322	Jenni Murray continues her celebration of the music of women composers, presenting a fabulous playlist of great music, classic and modern, and exploring the issues women have faced in forging careers as composers. 7. Undercover. Jenni is joined by composer-conductors Odaline de la Martinez and Yshani Perinpanayagam to uncover the stories of women composers publishing under pseudonyms, often to neutralise gender or cultural prejudice - from the Baroque composer “Mrs Philarmonica ?, whose real identity is still unknown today, to the British composer Amanda Aldridge, whose music found great success published under the name “Montague Ring ?. Do women composers today still hide their true identities in order for their work to be seen and heard? Producer: Graham Rogers Jenni Murray celebrates the music of women composers The stories that matter, the people that matter, the music that matters Jenni Murray is joined by composer-conductors Odaline de la Martinez and Yshani Perinpanayagam to uncover the women composers who have published under pseudonyms. [LISTEN NOW]
01	Why Women, Why Now?	20250208	Women have always composed - but, far more than with their male contemporaries, obstacles have been thrown in their way. In this new series, Jenni Murray explores some of the avenues women composers have taken to overcome these challenges, offering insight into their music and illuminating the cultural and human stories which resonate today, as well as celebrating the music itself with a vibrant playlist of some of the very best music by women. 1: Why women, why now? To ask whether or why we still need to talk about “women composers' in the 21st Century, and to look at some of the historical reasons why women's voices have often not been heard and the progress made over the past couple of decades, Jenni is joined by Master of the King's Music Errollyn Wallen. The playlist includes classics by Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn, Amy Beach and Ethel Smyth, alongside gems from contemporary composers Joan Tower and Sally Beamish, plus gaming music by Michiru Yamane and a film score by Laura Karpman - a barnstorming track from 2023 superhero movie The Marvels. To listen on most smart speakers say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters Jenni Murray celebrates music composed by women. Jenni Murray is joined by Master of the King's Music Errollyn Wallen for the first in a new series devoted to the music of women composers. Jenni is joined by Errollyn Wallen to celebrate the music of women composers [LISTEN NOW]
02	The Professionals	20250215	Women have always composed - but many obstacles have been thrown in their way. In this series, Jenni Murray explores some of the avenues women composers have taken to overcome these challenges, offering insight into their music and illuminating the cultural and human stories which resonate today, as well as celebrating the music itself with a vibrant playlist of some of the very best music by women. 2: The Professionals. In this second episode, Jenni is joined by Natalie Holt, composer of soundtracks for hit sci-fi series Loki and Obi Wan, and Leah Broad, author of the award-winning book Quartet: How Four Women Challenged the Musical World, to explore the opportunities and barriers for women to make their living as composers, from Italian Renaissance musician Maddalena Casulana to today's film and gaming composers. The playlist ranges from the 16th Century to the present day, with gems by Louise Farrenc and Avril Coleridge-Taylor alongside more recent classics by Dorothy Carwithen and Jennifer Higdon, and film and TV music by Rachel Portman and Natalie Holt. To listen on most smart speakers say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters Women who have made it as career composers, with Natalie Holt (Loki and Obi Wan) Jenni Murray is joined by composer Natalie Holt (Loki and Obi Wan) and writer Leah Broad (Quartet) for a programme celebrating the music of women who made it as career composers. Jenni Murray celebrates music composed by women Jenni Murray is joined by composer Natalie Holt and writer Leah Broad for a programme devoted to the music of women composers. [LISTEN NOW]
03	Play It Yourself	20250222	Jenni Murray continues her celebration of the music of women composers, presenting a fabulous playlist of great music, classic and modern, and exploring the issues women have faced in forging a career as a composer. 3. Play it Yourself. Jenni looks at women composers who have performed their own music, from musicians of the Baroque era such as Barbara Strozzi, through to 20th Century jazz giant Nina Simone and contemporary cellist-vocalist-composer Ayanna Witter-Johnson. To introduce the music, and to discuss whether performing your own music is still one of the best ways for composers to communicate their own work, Jenni is joined by pianist Joanna MacGregor and writer Kate Kennedy. Celebrating the music of women composer-performers from Clara Schumann to Nina Simone Jenni Murray is joined by pianist Joanna MacGregor and writer Kate Kennedy to celebrate the music of women who have performed their own music, from Amy Beach to Nina Simone. Jenni Murray celebrates the music of women composers [LISTEN NOW]
04	Religion	20250301	Jenni Murray continues her celebration of the music of women composers, presenting a fabulous playlist of great music, classic and modern, and exploring the issues women have faced in forging careers as composers. 4. Religion. Jenni is joined by composer Roxanna Panufnik and choral conductor Suzi Digby to discover the role religion has played in the careers of women composers, from the 8th century Byzantine-Greek nun Kassia, through Abbess Hildegard of Bingen, to Ethiopian composer Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou, who died in 2023. They also explore the enduring influence of mysticism on 20th Century figures like jazz composer-performer Alice Coltrane, and the meeting of multi faiths in the work of contemporary composer Reena Esmail. To listen on most smart speakers say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters How religion has shaped the music of women, from Hildegard of Bingen to Alice Coltrane. Jenni Murray is joined by composer Roxanna Panufnik and conductor Suzi Digby to celebrate religious music by women composers, and explore the role of religion in their careers. [LISTEN NOW]
05	Happy Families	20250308	Jenni Murray continues her celebration of the music of women composers, presenting a fabulous playlist of great music, classic and modern, and exploring the issues women have faced in forging careers as composers. 5. Happy families. Jenni is joined by director Jude Kelly and lecturer Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, mother to internationally acclaimed artists including cellist Sheku and pianist Isata, to explore the role of families in the careers of women composers - from 19th Century figures such as Clara Schumann, Alma Mahler and Amy Beach, whose husbands tried, often successfully, to quash their creativity, through to the present day and asking whether young female composers are given the support they need from their families and communities. To listen on most smart speakers say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters Jude Kelly and Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason on the impact of families on women composers' careers. Jenni Murray is joined by director Jude Kelly and lecturer Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason to explore the impact of parents, siblings, partners and children on the careers of women composers. [LISTEN NOW]
06	Rich And Powerful	20250315	Jenni Murray continues her celebration of the music of women composers, presenting a fabulous playlist of great music, classic and modern, and exploring the issues women have faced in forging a career as a composer. 6. Rich and Powerful. Jenni is joined by composer Cassie Kinoshi and Sophie Fuller, Professor of Gender and Music at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, to consider the freedom afforded to women composers by money and connections. Ranging from the 12th Century Trobairitz (French troubadours) and the 18th Century Duchess Anna Amalia of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel to Croatian Dora Pejacevic, who rejected her aristocratic background. Jenni also explores whether financial status and a “who you know ? culture still impacts on opportunities for young composers. To listen on most smart speakers say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters Jenni explores the roles of money and connections in the careers of women composers Jenni Murray is joined by composer Cassie Kinoshi and writer Sophie Fuller to consider the freedom afforded to women composers by money and connections. [LISTEN NOW]
07	Undercover	20250322	Jenni Murray continues her celebration of the music of women composers, presenting a fabulous playlist of great music, classic and modern, and exploring the issues women have faced in forging careers as composers. 7. Undercover. Jenni is joined by composer-conductors Odaline de la Martinez and Yshani Perinpanayagam to uncover the stories of women composers publishing under pseudonyms, often to neutralise gender or cultural prejudice - from the Baroque composer “Mrs Philarmonica ?, whose real identity is still unknown today, to the British composer Amanda Aldridge, whose music found great success published under the name “Montague Ring ?. Do women composers today still hide their true identities in order for their work to be seen and heard? Jenni Murray celebrates the music of women composers Jenni Murray is joined by composer-conductors Odaline de la Martinez and Yshani Perinpanayagam to uncover the women composers who have published under pseudonyms. [LISTEN NOW]
08	It's All Right Now ... Isn't It?	20250329	Jenni Murray concludes her series celebrating the music of women composers with a final fabulous playlist of great music, classic and modern, and exploring the issues women face in forging a career as a composer. 8. It's all right now ... isn't it? Jenni is joined by composer Anna Meredith to take stock of the progress that women composers have made over the past centuries in the face of often great prejudice and adversity, and to look to the future - what obstacles still remain and what solutions still need to be found? The playlist includes music by Mel Bonis, Peggy Glanville-Hicks, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Anna Clyne, Caroline Shaw and Dani Howard. To listen on most smart speakers say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters Celebrates the achievements of women composers and looks to the future, with Anna Meredith Jenni Murray is joined by composer Anna Meredith to celebrate the music of women composers, take stock of their great achievements and assess the obstacles they still face. [LISTEN NOW]