Nadia and Lili Boulanger

by Caroline Potter

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.

Genres: Music

216 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kristian Bjerke Dalen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Musikkhistoriens største geni var en kvinne. Eller bare en jente som døde i en alder av 24. Høres utrolig ut, men hvis du har hørt musikken hennes, så vet du at det er sant. Mozart og Beethoven var flinke da de var unge, men dette er et helt annet nivå. Lili skriver musikk med en dybde og modenhet som får deg til å tro at hun har levd et helt liv. Og kanskje hadde hun det, all den tid hun visste at hun skulle dø ung. Musikken hennes er mørk og mudrete, men også glødende – som å tenne et lys bak en gammel flaske vin. Så hvor bør man starte? https://open.spotify.com/track/3pKI3W...

[Ricardo]

Este es un libro bastante técnico sobre la vida y, principalmente , la obra de las hermanas Nadia y Lili Boulanger. Si bien algunos han emparentado la obra de Lili Boulanger con Debussy y Ravel, uno de los puntos principales del libro es establecerla mas bien como continuadora de Faure (uno de sus profesores de composición), lo que no tiene nada de menoscabo, ya que Faure era un compositor fantástico también. Queda el gusto de que ambas (especialmente escuchando las composiciones tardías de Lili Boulanger) desperdiciaron mucho tiempo preparando piezas para el Prix de Rome y su corseteado formato de cantata. Y si bien es ya un lugar común, es imposible arrancar del what if. La tempranisima muerte de Lili Boulanger nos privo de una las compositoras mas destacadas del siglo XX, que aun busca mas cabida en las salas de conciertos.

[Navida · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and reliable examination of the lives and music of the Boulanger sisters. And lots of musical examples.

[Lies Braakman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very neutral 3 stars for a book I read with the aim of learning more about the fascinating Boulanger sisters. It was a bit dry, but I know a lot more about them now so: mission accomplished!