Lesbian Musicology and the Music of Dame Ethel Smyth
I have always believed that a musician writes music to express his/her emotions, thoughts, and beliefs in a way that can be both hidden and quite apparent to their listeners at the same time. It can be viewed as a release or a medium through which to share an experience. These artists attempt to relate to their listeners and even hope to provide the listener with the words to express their own feelings. Music has proven to be a very important part of society, both past and present, for just this reason: expression. This medium of expression becomes even more important when the feelings being expressed are those which are not easily accepted by society.
For as long as humans have inhabited the earth, homosexuality has existed. Years ago, it was considered a disease, a genetic defect. Today, people relate to this sexual preference with mixed emotions - some are very accepting, while others continue to hold prejudice against those who are open about their attraction to those of the same sex. Homosexual musicians, both male and female, have also pervaded society from before the days of Tchaikovsky to the present day with artists such as Melissa Etheridge. One difference is apparent in that homosexuality is much more accepted today than it was in the past and individuals are less afraid to "come out of the closet." I believe, however, that some things have not changed. Music is still a major way for these artists to express their sexual desires.
I will attempt to examine the expression of homosexual desire and emotion in music, particularly that by lesbian artists, referring especially to analyses that have been conducted regarding the life and music of the composer ...
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...ess of one's personal choices or background. It links everyone who cares to listen.
Bibliography:
Bibliography
1)Bowers and Tick, eds. Women Making Music. Chicago: University Press, 1986.(Chapter 12. Jane A. Bernstein. "Shout , Shout, Up with Your Song!" Dame Ethel Smyth and the Changing Role of the British Woman Composer.)
2)Brett, Wood, and Thomas, eds. Queering the Pitch: the New Gay and Lesbian Musicology. Routledge: New York, 1994. (Chapter 3. Elizabeth Wood. Sapphonics.)
3)Raitt, Suzanne. "'The tide of Ethel': Femininity as Narrative in the Friendship of Ethel Smyth and Virginia Woolf." Critical Quarterly. vol. 30, no. 4, 1988.
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In Deborah E. McDowell’s essay Black Female Sexuality in Passing, she writes about the sexual repression of women seen in Nella Larsen‘s writings during the Harlem Renaissance, where black women had difficulty expressing their sexuality. In her essay, she writes about topics affecting the sexuality of women such as, religion, marriage, and male dominated societies. In Toni Morrison’s short story, “Recitatif” there are examples of women who struggle to express their sexuality. The people in society judge women based off their appearance, and society holds back women from expressing themselves due to society wanting them to dress/act a certain way. Religion is one point McDowell brings forth in her essay, during the Jazz era she stated that singers such as Bessie Smith, Gertrude Rainey, and Victoria Spivey sung about sexual feelings in their songs.
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Since the dawn of the Victorian Era, society has perpetuated unrealistic gender performance ideals that supposedly find their roots within biological sexual differences. Judith Butler has spent a lifetime seeking to break the mold todays social constructions, specifically surrounding gender and sexuality. The theory this pioneer pegged is now known as Queer Theory, and brought forth in the education system through Queer Studies courses. In the text Sexing the Body: Gender Politics and the Construction of Sexuality by author Anne Fausto-Sterling, gender and sex are similarly challenged on both a social and biological level. When reviewing Fausto-Sterling’s work in conjunction with Queer Studies and Human Sexuality, an efficient and effective format is loosely based upon a Critical Literary analysis.
Starting merely as a small hobby, her first dip of freedom opened Edna up to ferocious artistry. Finding a companion in Mademoiselle Reisz, the raw talent and compassion Mademoiselle puts into her work stirs Edna internally in a way she has never felt before. This is another stab at the society she finds herself to be in, for intellectual artistry was not meant for women to be an escape for themselves, but merely entertainment for others. Music becomes a therapy for Edna and opens her up to further creativity that she hadn’t given herself
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The second wave of feminism starting in the late 1960s presented new ways of thinking about female rights and roles and gave greater attention to the issues affecting the various groups of women in the feminist movement. One of the essential topics that rose was the debate over female sexuality. From this point on efforts were made for changes in how women were expected to express their sexuality, which was controlled and adapted to the standards of men . These changes were also seen in the music area of which women sought to control their own representation and agency. Women began to challenge any models forced upon them based on preceding gender norms and traditions, and began to express their own identities according to their own comforts . The shift from traditional industry to the new media age in the 1990’s was a period of rapid transformation regarding female representations, of which females have claimed the freedom of expression through music, mainly seen through the sexual appearance of the female body. Nevertheless this achievement has been debated over most predominantly between liberal and radical feminists. This Essay will discuss the distinct views of radical and liberal feminists regarding the development of women’s freedom of expression and opportunities over time. Liberal feminists believe that women are in control of their own sexuality and have the right to express it in any way they choose. In contrast, radical feminists believe that female artists who expose their body in a sexual way and believe they have full control over themselves, are actually still trying to satisfy their predominantly male audience, therefore giving them control . To exemplify the different views on female development over time this es...
Music has always been a basic form of expression. From Antonin Dvorak, to Eminem, to even ancient, tribal music, it has been a medium through which individuals convey their thoughts and expressions. Today this medium is under attack. Everywhere we turn, everything we do and say is being scrutinized. We are being told what to say. We are being spoon-fed our emotions. No longer are we allowed to think freely, openly. All the censors out there are on the prowl for another piece to rip to shreds because it doesn't fit their description of what is decent and moral. What they fail to realize is that we don't make the music for them... We do it for release.
Reich, Steve. Writings about Music. Halifax: Nova Scotia Coll.of Art & Design P., 1974. Print.
Desler, Anne. "History Without Royalty? Queen and the Strata of the Popular Music Canon." Popular Music 32.3 (2013): 385-405. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Apr. 2014.
Society is one of the corporeal that plays a major role in a homosexual’s life. If you go into public schools, you will see this behavior is becoming more prevalent. Not to mention, the attraction of same sex even start as early as elementary schools. Therefore, young children experiment with same sex interaction, and if the parents don’t address this interaction this could potentially carry over into adulthood. If fact, society makes it appears this is a chosen lifestyle. Additionally, this lifestyle is heavily influence by the radio, television, and peers. Often, young children grow up with this in the household. Some may say that homosexuality is inherit, in addition, it caused by poor parenting. Moreover, there is a lack of knowledge on homosexuality. Consequently, some people may think that homosexuality is a disease that is contagious. In addition, many people frowned upon people that are
Expressing yourself without music would be nearly impossible. Music is a pastime for some, but a lifestyle for others. If music wasn't around, musicians wouldn't be able to write meaningful songs that showcased their emotions. Music is an outburst of the soul for musicians. For example, if a drummer had experienced a difficult heartbreak, and wanted to take his anger out on something, he could not make music on drums. Or if a singer just came back from a life changing vacation and wanted to sing about it, he couldn’t. Musicians would have no outlet, and therefore not have a way to express themselves, and maybe not even have a job. Even if you are not a professional musician, but just play around on an instrument, it still acts as a way of expression.