Nadia And Lili Boulanger

Pioneers in their fields and two of the best-known women in music in the twentieth century, Nadia and Lili Boulanger have previously been considered in isolation from one another. Yet, as Caroline Potter's new book demonstrates, their careers were closely linked during Lili Boulanger's short life (1893-1918) and there are several intriguing connections between their musical works. This biography also provides the first full analysis of the Boulanger sisters' musical styles, placing them within the context of French musical history. Their lives are also a case study in the issues of gender which surround music making even to the present day. Despite an unusually privileged upbringing, Nadia and Lili Boulanger exemplify the struggle women experienced when attempting to enter the professional music world. Lili became the first woman to win the Prix de Rome in 1913, and Nadia gained second place in 1908. Yet, in spite of this initial success, Naida Boulanger was to give up composing in her thirties and devoted the remainder of her long life to teaching. Her pupils included several of the great composers of the century, including Aaron Copland and Elliott Carter. This book, focusing on their musical careers, is essential reading for anyone interested in French music of the 20th century. Pioneers in their fields and two of the best-known women in music in the twentieth century, Nadia and Lili Boulanger have previously been considered in isolation from one another. Yet, as Caroline Potter's new book demonstrates, their careers were closely linked during Lili Boulanger's short life (1893-1918) and there are several intriguing connections between their musical works. This biography also provides the first full analysis of the Boulanger sisters' musical styles, placing them within the context of French musical history. Their lives are also a case study in the issues of gender which surround music making even to the present day. Despite an unusually privileged upbringing, Nadia and Lili Boulanger exemplify the struggle women experienced when attempting to enter the professional music world. Lili became the first woman to win the Prix de Rome in 1913, and Nadia gained second place in 1908. Yet in spite of this initial success, Nadia Boulanger was to give up composing in her thirties and devoted the remainder of her long life to teaching. Her pupils included several of the great composers of the century, including Aaron Copland and Elliott Carter. This book, focusing on their musical careers, is essential reading for anyone interested in French music of the twentieth century. Contents......Page 6 List of Music Examples......Page 7 Preface and Acknowledgements......Page 10 List of Abbreviations......Page 14 1 The Sisters and their Composing Careers......Page 18 2 Towards the Prix de Rome......Page 43 3 The Music of Nadia Boulanger......Page 82 4 The Music of Lili Boulanger after 1913......Page 108 5 Nadia Boulanger as Teacher......Page 144 6 Reputations......Page 165 A: Catalogue of Nadia Boulanger’s Works......Page 182 B: Catalogue of Lili Boulanger’s Works......Page 191 Select Bibliography......Page 200 B......Page 204 D......Page 205 L......Page 206 R......Page 207 Y......Page 208 The author discusses the lives and work of the two Boulanger sisters, both precocious musicians from a very early age. Lili achieved success as a composer before dying at the age of 24 and Nadia, although a successful composer, is best known as a music teacher