Cecile Chaminade program notes

Cécile Chaminade was a French composer and pianist who was one of the most popular and successful composers of her time. She was born in Paris in 1857 and began studying music at an early age. She showed great talent for both composition and performance, and by the time she was in her early twenties, she was already giving concerts of her own music.

Chaminade's music was often described as being "feminine" and "graceful," and she was often praised for her ability to capture the beauty and delicacy of the natural world in her music. She wrote in a variety of genres, including piano music, songs, and orchestral works. Her most famous works include the piano pieces "The Scarf Dance" and "I Will Give You a Rose," and the opera "La Périchole."

Chaminade was a trailblazer for women in music. She was one of the first female composers to achieve international success, and she paved the way for other women composers who followed her. She was also a strong advocate for women's rights, and she used her platform as a composer and performer to speak out against discrimination.

Chaminade died in 1944 at the age of 86. She is remembered as one of the most important composers of the 19th century, and her music continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.