10 women who changed the classical music world forever

10 women who changed the classical music world forever

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Lise Cristiani (December 24, 1827 – October 24, 1853)

Have you heard the story of the world’s first female cellist, also an intrepid explorer?

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First female musician in New York Philharmonic ‘said no’ to Oscar-winning documentary

First female musician in New York Philharmonic ‘said no’ at first to Oscar-winning film about her life

New York Phil

Doreen Carwithen is known as the world’s first full-time female film composer

Meet Doreen Carwithen, the world’s first fully-professional female film composer

Saint Cecilia Playing The Organ.

Who was St Cecilia? Meet the patron saint of music and musicians

Hildegard von Bingen, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Edward Elgar among the greatest composers in classical music history.

The 30 greatest classical music composers of all time

Who is Toshiko Akiyoshi? Meet the Japanese pianist and composer who transformed jazz music

Who is Toshiko Akiyoshi? Meet the Japanese pianist and composer who transformed jazz music

Four women conductors lead the Met Opera in one week – in historic first

Four women conductors lead the Met Opera in one week – in historic first

New York Metropolitan Opera

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The Donne Foundation has successfully set the Guinness World Record for the Longest Acoustic Music Live-Streamed Concert, with a 26-hour concert of music by women and non-binary composers.

Musicians break Guinness World Record with 26-hour concert of music by women composers

Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn

Who was Fanny Mendelssohn, the unsung composer whose music was published under her brother’s name?

Happy Birthday

5 famous melodies you didn’t realise were written by women... including ‘Happy Birthday’

Hélène de Montgeroult, the incredible woman whose music saved her life in revolutionary France

Hélène de Montgeroult – the French composer who played piano to save herself from the guillotine

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Amy Beach’s stunning violin Romance

Amy Beach’s stunning Romance, played by a rising star violinist for International Women’s Day

The 10 greatest pieces by German composer Fanny Mendelssohn.

The 10 greatest pieces of music by Fanny Mendelssohn, ranked

Florence Price had her work premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Meet Florence Price, the first Black woman to have her work premiered by a US orchestra

Price, F

Nina Simone, Marian Anderson and Sheku Kanneh-Mason (left to right) are just some of the famous faces that have left their mark on the classical music world

25 Black musicians who have shaped the classical music world

Who was Felicia Montealegre, Chilean actress and Leonard Bernstein’s wife?

Who was Felicia Montealegre, Chilean actress and Leonard Bernstein’s wife?

Bernstein, L

Women Composers

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Clara Schumann

Rachel Portman

Florence Price

Hildegard of Bingen

Women Artists

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Nicola Benedetti

Isata Kanneh-Mason

Anna Lapwood

Yuja Wang

Mood

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Studying

Relaxing

Happy

Epic

Romantic

Baby

Occasions

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Wedding

Memorial

Valentine’s Day

Christmas

Latest on Classic FM

Shani Willis, original Nancy from 1968 Oliver! sings on Britain’s Got Talent

92-year-old Nancy, original star of 1968 Oliver! film, sings phenomenal ‘As Long as He Needs Me’

Videos

Opera and ballet hit the headlines thanks to Timothée Chalamet interview

Sorry, Timothée Chalamet, it seems like the world does love opera and ballet...

Classic FM Live with Viking returns to the Royal Albert Hall in April 2026!

Classic FM Live with Viking returns to the Royal Albert Hall in April 2026!

Events

Katherine Jenkins on Classic FM

Katherine Jenkins joins Classic FM to host special programme on International Women’s Day

Katherine Jenkins

Who are the new musical mentors for Season 4 of Channel 4’s The Piano?

Who are the new musical mentors for Season 4 of The Piano?

National Youth Orchestra performs to 3,000 students at Blackpool Tower Ballroom

Orchestra of teenagers performs to 3,000 students at Blackpool Tower Ballroom

NYO

Classic FM’s Rising Stars 2026: celebrating 30 inspiring classical musicians under 30

Classic FM’s Rising Stars 2026: celebrating 30 inspiring classical musicians under 30

How a harp caused the break up of The Beatles

How a harp sparked the breakup of The Beatles

More than 40% of musicians may suffer from tinnitus, according to new research.

More than 40% of musicians may suffer from tinnitus - and it’s not just rockers, according to new research
The Bride! (Jessie Buckley) and The Bride of Frankenstein (Elsa Lanchester)

How The Bride of Frankenstein created the first symphonic horror score