The pipe organ is often said to be the ‘Queen of instruments’, and the patron saint of music, St. Cecilia, is traditionally depicted playing the organ. How does this kind of imagery relate to the reality facing women in organ culture, in times past and today?
Who were the pioneering female organists and what did they achieve? Departing from the composer Elfrida Andrée (1841–1929) – a key figure in the musical life of Gothenburg and the world’s first female cathedral organist – the seminar takes a broad look at the role of women in organ culture. What social and economic factors condition the history of women in organ culture? Is there a ‘hidden history’ of marginalized women as performers, composers and instrument builders? And are attitudes towards women in the organ world still changing or in need of change?
Participants:
Robin Blanton organ builder, translator and musicologist, SE
Johan Hammarström organist and choirmaster of Stockholm Cathedral, SE
Anne Laver Associate Professor of Organ, Syracuse University, US
Jonas Lundblad organist and musicologist, Uppsala University, SE
Kimberly Marshall Professor of Organ, Arizona State University, US
Annette Richards Professor of Music and University Organist, Cornell University, US
Anna Steppler organist and musicologist, Cornell University, US
Eva Öhrström Professor Emerita in Music History, Royal College of Music, SE
Moderator:
Sverker Jullander, organist, Professor Emeritus of Musical Performance, Luleå University of Technology, SE
