This collection of in-depth analytical essays celebrates music by female composers from the twelfth to nineteenth centuries. The essays, written by leading music theorists and musicologists, examine select compositions in detail, collectively establishing a foundation for new scholarly research into outstanding compositions created by women.
This new volume of analytical essays edited by Parsons and Ravenscroft is valuable, timely, and impressive. Nine leading scholars provide incisive chapters on music from the 12th to the 19th centuries, revealing deep sensitivity to music and text, masterful counterpoint, compelling narrative, virtuosic metric shifts, Schenkerian poetics, and imaginative genius. I recommend it for undergraduate and graduate courses in music analysis, and as a model and inspiration for further research.