#ClassicsaDay #PrideMonth Week 1

For the month of June, Classics a Day celebrates Pride Month. And the challenge is to post works from classical composers who self-identified as other than heteronormative.

There are a lot of composers to choose from -- and not just in the modern era. This was a challenge that deepened my knowledge of classical music. And deepened my appreciation of the additional struggles faced by LGBTQ+ composers both past and present. Here are my posts from the first week of #PrideMonth.

06/01/22 Mari Ésabel Valverde - Darest, O Soul

Valverde is both a professional composer and singer. She also teaches singing and transgender voice training. She's best known for her choral composition.

06/02/22 Johann Rosenmüller - Magnificat

Rosenmüller was director of music for the Altenberg court in Saxony. In 1655 he was implicated in homosexual activities and fled to Italy to avoid prison. Rosenmüller worked in Venice until 1682 when it was finally safe for him to return to Germany. He died two years later.

06/03/22 Colin McPhee - Ceremonial Music for Two Pianos

McPhee was a Canadian composer of Indonesian heritage. He's credited with making the first serious ethnomusicological study of Bali. His studies influenced his own compositions.