Contemporary Music

Contemporary Music

At the beginning of last month, French-American composer Betsy Jolas celebrated her 100th birthday. She is one of the last surviving figures of the post-war avant-garde. Why has she remained less well known than some of her contemporaries? Perhaps, as a woman, she was nog given a fair chance. Another possible explanation is that her music is less radical. At a time when uncompromising innovation was the prevailing credo, her more moderate style found little appreciation. Perhaps the time has now come to reassess her work.

Playlist

1. Betsy Jolas: Quatuor II. Mady Mesplé (soprano); Trio à Cordes Français.
   15’23”
2. Betsy Jolas, Sonate à trois. Pierre Cazes (harpsichord), Joseph Grau (blokfluit), Olivier de Mones (viola da gamba).
   9’51”
3. Betsy Jolas, D’un opéra de voyage. Orchestre du Domaine Musical conducted by Gilbert Amy.
   9’40”
4. Betsy Jolas, Musique d’hiver. Angela Metzger (organ); WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln conducted by Titus Engel.
   20’21”