Classical Californians: Sarah Cahill

Christine Alicino

This week's Classical Californian is pianist Sarah Cahill. She’s been commissioning new works, and resurfacing others by women composers in a multi-year recording and performance project called “The Future is Female,” with three recordings released so far. In celebration of International Women’s Day this week, she’s curated a group of recordings from the Baroque through today, written by women: from Barbara Strozzi and Chiara Margarita Cozzolani to Errollyn Wallen and Gabriela Ortiz, featuring ensembles including the San Francisco Girls Chorus and the Chineke! Ensemble.

She begins with the music of Barbara Strozzi, a piece called "Udite amanti" from L'Eraclito amoroso. (On the radio broadcast, it was a performance by Swedish soprano Susanne Rydén)

Then, a hop forward several centuries, to contemporary composer Gabriela Ortiz, and a performance by Sarah Cahill of her Etude No. 3 for piano.

Now the choral work "Domino ad adjuvandum" by Chiara Margarita Cozzolani, as sung by the San Francisco Girls Chorus.

Next, it's the music of contemporary composer Errollyn Wallen, with a Concerto Grosso played by members of the Chineke! Ensemble.

Back to the time of the French Revolution, here's the opening movement to a sonata by Hélène de Montgeroult, played by Sarah Cahill.

With Ian Munro as the soloist, next up is the opening movement of Elena Kats-Chernin's Piano Concerto No. 2, with Ola Rudner leading the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

And to wrap things up, some reverberant music from Pauline Oliveros for accordion and voice, "A Love Song."