Claremont Concert Orchestra’s California premiere of Louise Farrenc’s first symphony revives attention to an impressive, yet underrepresented, 19th-century composer.
Claremont Concert Orchestra in Garrison Theater
By Nichola Monroe ’27
This October, the Claremont Concert Orchestra brought the music of 19th-century French composer Louise Farrenc to Scripps in its California premiere—highlighting a composer whose achievements challenged the gender barriers of her time.
Farrenc (1804–1875) was a pianist, composer, and educator who became a professor of piano at the Paris Conservatoire in 1842. She was the only woman to hold a permanent professorship of her rank at the institution during the 19th century.
While most women composers of her time primarily wrote for smaller ensembles, Farrenc set herself apart by composing for a full orchestra. Despite her accomplishments, she was initially paid less than her male colleagues, but eventually secured equal pay as her success grew.
“An Amazing Alignment”: Louise Farrenc and Scripps’ Centennial
For David Cubek, professor of music and director of the Claremont Concert Orchestra, performing Farrenc’s work was a chance to introduce students and audiences to a composer who received less recognition than her male contemporaries.
“There are several factors when choosing the repertoire for the orchestra,” Cubek says. “I want students to play works from different styles and eras that expose them to an array of compositional styles.”
Alongside familiar works, Cubek seeks to spotlight music from underrepresented composers. Farrenc’s symphony offered a particularly meaningful opportunity to do so, especially as Scripps celebrates its Centennial and reflects on the achievements of women who were ahead of their time.
“This happened to be an amazing alignment of things, though I didn’t plan it that way,” Cubek admits.
It’s exciting for us to mix in a lesser-known, but equally talented female composer.
The concerts, presented by the Joint Music Program of Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, featured Farrenc’s Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 32, alongside Maurice Ravel’s Ma mère l’Oye (“Mother Goose”) and Camille Saint-Saëns’ Danse macabre—a decidedly French selection.
Professor David Cubek conducting the Claremont Concert Orchestra
The program’s three French composers also offered students an avenue to explore different musical periods and approaches to orchestral composition. Farrenc’s work reflects the Classical and early Romantic traditions, Saint-Saëns represents the later Romantic period, and Ravel brings a distinctly 20th-century perspective.
“I love the Farrenc piece,” says Iman Morlot ’27, cellist and Clarmont Concert Orchestra member of four years. “When you go to a concert, your initial draw is what is being performed, especially with more notable composers. It’s exciting for us to mix in a lesser-known, but equally talented female composer. The Farrenc specifically has some movements in it that are very interesting and fun to play.”
A Unique Music Collaboration at The Claremont Colleges
The Joint Music Program brings together student musicians from four of The Claremont Colleges, creating a shared space for students to develop their musical skills alongside their academic pursuits. For Cubek, the orchestra not only expands students’ musical repertoire, but also their community.
“The orchestra is a great vehicle for students to belong to a community of like-minded musicians who are passionate about symphonic music,” he says. “They get to know students from other colleges, majors, and minors with the ultimate goal of performing together. Regardless of what academic path they are pursuing, this is for students who want to continue to be in touch with the musical side of their lives.”
Adds Morlot, “It’s a wonderful experience to be in a space where we are all there to do one thing: to play together and listen to each other.”