Scandalous
An Homage to Chiquinha Gonzaga
Instrumentation: guitar and flute
Duration: 7'
2023
Commissioned by the Azuline Duo
Instrumentation: guitar and flute
Duration: 7'
2023
Commissioned by the Azuline Duo
When researching the life of composer Chiquinha Gonzaga, I noticed a common theme – every large change she made, or accomplishment achieved, was considered “scandalous.” She left her husband – scandalous. She became a full-time musician – scandalous. She was the first female conductors in Rio de Janeiro – scandalous! Oftentimes when a woman goes against the grain, she is considered scandalous. I, too, have felt this – over one hundred years later! This became the basis of my homage to the wonderfully “scandalous” woman, Chiquinha.
When celebrating the bravery of women striving for better lives, I think we sometimes forget how lonely and difficult this was for them. The focus is often on celebrating their “bad-ass-ness,” instead of that messy, difficult part between the choice and the resolution. So this work honours both the grief and the bravery.
When celebrating the bravery of women striving for better lives, I think we sometimes forget how lonely and difficult this was for them. The focus is often on celebrating their “bad-ass-ness,” instead of that messy, difficult part between the choice and the resolution. So this work honours both the grief and the bravery.
