In the 1970s, while I was at Iowa State University, I heard a music professor recount his experience as a student of Nadia Boulanger, showing that wit and humor were part of her teaching technique. She accepted this young American man as a student following her policy of accepting Americans not necessarily because they were talented but because they could afford her and she needed the money. (She was frank with him on this score.) He prepared a piece to play for her, taking care to perform it very expressively. As he was playing, Nadia laid a hand on his arm signaling him to stop. He did, and she said, "I think you are making it a little too beautiful."
I am French and a classical music lover. I didn’t know about Lily Boulanger. I thank you for allowing me to discover her wonderful music that speaks to my Heart.
But surely you must have heard of her sister Nadia who was a most influential teacher and composer. Among her many students was Brazil’s great Hector Villalobos.
I am French. I had NEVER heard those names before in my life, or heard about those ladies before, and had to learn that from a British guy, on YT. Pretty humbling I guess.
I'm so glad this video showed up on my feed. She was an amazing talent, and the world is impoverished by her early death. I'd never heard of her before, but I'll definitely look up her music.
I'd never heard of her either. I had heard her sister's name; but didn't know what she did either. You Tube Out of the Blue Algorithm scores an excellent piece.
One of my music professors was a student of the great Nadia. No doubt, they were 2 brilliant female human beings. I once composed a piece of music to compliment mighty female musical talent. Nadia, Lili, Clara Schumann, Nannerl Mozart, Fanny Mendelssohn, and today the fabulous Hilary Hahn. Super Beautiful!
Lili Boulanger has made so many master pieces, she was a musical wonder child, she died 24 years old - only the greatest composers (f.i. Schubert, Mendelssohn and of course Mozart) made master pieces when they were so young. Unbelieveble she made Psaume 130 a massive work (half an hour long) for choir and orchestra nearly 20 years old, what is far more beautiful than a lot of works in this genre what we now often on the radio hear
I introduced my daughter to classical music a long time ago but at some point, it dawned on me that all of the composers I was bringing to her attention were male (you know, the usual suspects: Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, etc.). So I Googled "female composers" one day and Lili Boulanger popped up. I gave her a listen and loved her sound immediately. Like everyone, I would have loved to have heard what she could have done post-24 years of age but that's just the way the universe works sometimes.
I had the unforgettable privilege of singing in the semi-chorus of Psalm 130 at a major choral festival a few years ago. It was one of the most incredible musical experiences of my life. Such an extraordinary piece of music!!
Amazing that we do not have this woman on a pedestal near Mendelssohn or Chopin-both prodigies whose lives were abbreviated. In virtual terms she already shares a plinth with Fanny Mendelssohn, a gifted musician who wanted to compose, and began, but was discouraged. It’s bad enough to be cheated out of perhaps the greatest music never written by men like Mozart and Schubert, because they died young of diseases for which treatments did not exist. But we must also reckon the absence of great music and art, mathematics and physics, entire libraries on astronomy, chemistry, geology, engineering, biology, anthropology, medicine, linguistics, philosophy, because until about 50 years ago, half the human race has been handcuffed to kitchen and nursery doorknobs.
Fortunately for the civilized world there are still intelligent women who enjoy raising children in a healthy family environment, and who don’t consider the task “being handcuffed to a kitchen doorknob” (as if that were ever the case).
@@TokyoXtreme In a just world, all men and all women would not feel limited in their choices. I would have loved to be the parent who did the home care for my kids, or at least more than I was allowed by the situation available to me. I was making a defense of larger choice for women. Your remark strikes me as offensive, actually, because no one was denigrating the work in the home--only the relegation of one role per sex. Why this internet impulse to correct everyone's thoughts, even when intentions are honorable?
@@prototropo Being content and consistent with your biological role is fulfilling and supremely satisfying - nothing “subservient” about it. You can still write music while raising children… you don’t need to be a 45 y.o. catlady who runs the PR department.
I only yesterday [14 April 2022] "discovered" Lili and her astonishingly beautiful music ("Faust et Hélène")... And I have a graduate degree in music from a major American university ! Since then I have listened to four or five of her gorgeous choral works. Where had she been - where had *I* been - all these years! You're right: she most certainly would have become a towering musical presence had she lived as long as her wonderful teacher/sister, Nadia. How very sad that she left us at only 24... at the beginning of her career as a composer. But what a true joy to partake of the music she gave us in her brief life.
Every century has its musical tragedy 18th being Mozarts early death 19th century being Schubert's early death 20th being Boulanger and Gershwins early death
Also, Chopin died before reaching the age of 40. Fortunately he was able to compose a large quantity of incredible compositions, and I would argue that Chopin's music is most consistently beautiful. Most composers have some better compositions as well as some missteps, but almost every piece written by Chopin is a gem.
Lilli Boulanger sneaked onto my radar when the programmer of the local concert hall sneaked a piece of hers onto a programme a few years ago It was the revelation of the evening / season.
@@callmeqt1269 I learnt my English in Britain and the older form "sneaked" is more common than the American upstart "snuck". It is interesting that the verb "to sneak" became irregular in North American when it had been regular in Britain for centuries. I understand both but when push comes to shove I tend to use the word sneaked in speaking and writing.
It is so surprising there hasn't been a biopic movie on the Boulanger sisters yet, it has great cathartic and pathetic (in the traditional theater meaning) potential !
@@nicktamer4969 to bad but how about French? it was my thought also . What a pity we do not have the film about this lady composer. How about the feminists movie makers?
@@LeRoi715 problem is : both the Boulangers worked (litterally) to their death to reach this level. Ain't exactly the message modern Hollywood is trying to pass right now; and as to the French cinema, the nature of financements in this industry makes the decision makers (Public TV channels) only go for safe mediocre "comedies" with always the same actors, or very low budget "social-messaging " movies. A high end classical music biopic, despite its story-telling potential, looks too risky for them
I found this by accident. I'm not a devotee of classical music, but I was moved both by Lili's story and the snippets of her music provided. I shall have to listen to more of her music. And as to the creator of this vid, his enthusiasm for his subject is truly infectious!
Thank you so much for bringing attention to Lili, who I discovered in a recent voice recital. She deserves more recognition and it’s a shame she seems to have fallen through the cracks of music history.
It’s amazing that one family brought forth such amazing gifts. The sheer determination and focus shown by both sisters through there accomplishments, gained despite of great pain, is baffling. Their shared passion for music in all its forms, and their faith in its Provider should inspire us all. Thanks Oscar, for yet another glimpse into a whole new world of music.
I have never heard of her before! I actually feel that those of us who have never heard of her or her work have been robbed of the genius works of someone who created so much within the short time that she had on this earth. thanx for sharing 👍
That's because you two are easily manipulated sheep! You listen to some hype & without any personal investment, you're more than convinced! BaaAAaah! BAAaaAAh!
@@marblemadness8870 what a strange thing for you to be upset about, they’re not changing their politics or religious beliefs, or any other thing that is wildly important. They’ve just been exposed to a new musician and like it.
I discovered her when I was around 14, by accident, in the library, before learning about all the Americans who had later studied with her sister, Nadia. A few years after, I had a professor who had studied with Nadia and I could barely get two sentences out of him about that experience. Quite odd, I thought, but I assumed it was, in his case, brutal.
@@olearris Absolutes are problematic states, friend. It’s good to recall that there is every kind of personality under the sun. No, I left the anecdote early. There is no question this prof was her pupil, nor that he earned his place, he did. It’s a known. However, perhaps “intense“ doesn’t describe NB, and, at the end of the day, like NB, composition was not his strong suit. The other 1-2 degree-away personal, reliable connection I had came a couple years before I was recommended to this particular prof, and the four others who had adjudicated in his dept, when I had been connected by an older, established composer friend to Slonimsky, while I was a teen. NS, who was positively loquacious and incredibly generous to me, spent many afternoons over the years (until his serious health issues intervened), going into technical details about structural concepts and devices in composition, yet spoke equally and with just as much passion and vigor about anyone in music he knew and everything I plied him with. He loved regaling, and he did touch on Ms. N. Boulanger. She was difficult as I understood. My ultimate impression remains that, although she had a greater track record of meaningfully assisting many artists along their way, she also broke a few as Frank Lloyd Wright did (virtually all) of those Taliesen fellows. At the same time, 20th c American serious music would have been quite different without her.
@@jasonbourne5142 What a bizarre comment. Do your parents know you’re on the Internet? Be well, friend. BTW, if one has been involved at any level with serious music in the 20th c, it’s impossible to not be aware of Nadia Boulanger. If one is aware of Nadia Boulanger, it’s impossible to be unaware of Lili Boulanger. There are more obscure tracks before you hit the wilderness, fella. Good luck. LOL.
I don't listen to music like this, but have watched this as UA-cam sent it to me, and your voice has such passion it kept me watching. You explain it well. Thanks:)
What an incredible story, what an amazing talent. These are the kind of stories that need to be told so that these prodigies can be brought to the forefront & their great works can be enjoyed by more people. Thank you for an excellent vid. 🤟❤
Quelle tristesse de mourir si jeune. J'adore sa musique qui par chance a été interprétée par de grands artistes. On ne s'en lasse pas. Merci pour cette belle vidéo.
I will be singing "Hymne au soleil" in a concert with the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay in March. I am so excited about the prospect of presenting one example of Lili Boulanger's genius.
Lili Boulanger absolutely would have dominated the 20th century had we been blessed with her full and healthy life. A voice unlike any other for a century or more before or after. A life of suffering but she left us the gifts of her works.
thank you for this introduction to composer Lili Boulanger. fascinating, gorgeous & unfamiliar music. until, this is, the taste of the Pie Jesu towards the end of your video. in addition to being a recording artist, composer & performer, i would sometimes record other artists who needed their performance documented. one such was a college student's graduation project which included the Pie Jesu. at the time of the recording, i was unfamiliar with the piece, & my jaw dropped with the opening interval. she performed the piece flawlessly, & i was never quite the same. of all the recordings i have made for other artists, it is the only piece i still listen to. thank you again for this video.
I don't know why this video was proposed to me, but I'm glad I've watched it clued to my seat. Complements to the composer and narrator for the excellent job done with this video. Greating from Milan in Italy.
It's only a loss for what she could have done. What she DID do has already impressed the great musical minds of her generation, and those who came after. We can be grateful for what was freely given to us. Thank you for this mini documentary.
I’ve never heard of this composer before and didn’t know if I would enjoy her…but the moment I heard Les Sirenes in the vid I immediately paused and played it alone and nearly cried at the last 5 seconds. So beautiful!
Just performed Faust et Helene last year. An absolute masterpiece for someone so young, I loved it and couldn't believe I hadn't heard of it before. Incredibly mature vocal writing balanced with a equally potent orchestral sounds.
this was a perfect video for me to stumble across on womens history months. i think lili boulanger life shows n many ways that you are more fortunate than others. with that aside even having the sickness that plagued her life, she kept moving forward. I find it commendable🔥 may she along with her sister Nadia boulanger, rest in peace.
Thank you for all that you do. I relate so much to Lily's challenges with health as I recently had to leave a college that wouldn't accommodate my disability. I live in constant pain and constant weakness since childhood. I have no doubt though that I will continue to pursue a music career in spite of it.
Such lack of accommodation should be illegal by now. The time will come when we will look back at ourselves in shame. I hope there’s a way to urgent change. Sending you much strength and love from Brazil ✨
I was very moved by your podcast, I thought she was forgotten, her music is indeed very very French. I live in Paris and I will drop flowers on his grave for you. Berlioz is in the same cemetery. Thank you very much for your work.
WOW. Don't recall hearing about Lili Boulanger before. The examples you gave of her music here are exquisitely beautiful. Thanks so much, Inside the Score.What an excellent video; an easy decision on subscribing to you.Thanks again !!
This American composer of a New England folk opera and other pieces for piano thanks you for your wonderful tribute to the late great Lili Boulanger and references to her beloved sister Nadia! It's too bad that more women composers are recognized like the late great American composer Amy Beach, another New Englander whose music was performed at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago's White City! And it's too bad we have to make references to "women composers" when we don't go around saying "men or male composers"! Sexism is still rampant in the field of music, unfortunately! Sad that Lili had to suffer so much with illness. Hopefully, her brilliant legacy will live on and more people will discover her as well!
I first discovered the music of Lili Boulanger through a book at the San Diego Public Library that told her story, including her being the first woman to win the Prix de Rome and her untimely death at age 24. The moment I read about her cantata "Faust et Héléne" I knew I had to listen to it, and it turned out to be every bit as good as the book had said it was, a musical masterpiece worthy to stand alongside Arrigo Boïto's setting of the Faust-and-Helen scene in his opera "Mefistofele" (the most underrated opera of all time, but that's another story). Lili Boulanger's music shows the influence of Debussy (the 900-pound elephant in the French musical world) but also a massive orchestral sonority I'd expect more from a German than a French composer of her time. There's a sense that she had potential she didn't live long enough to achieve (something we don't think of about Mozart, Schubert or Gershwin, despite their early deaths), but the relatively small amount of music she actually left behind certainly deserves to be far bearer known.
Nadia Boulanger was very influential among emerging composers best exemplified by Brazil’s Hector Villalobos. They were encouraged to be authentic and natural, which had the effect of native and folkloric sources of inspiration being incorporated into their works. Villalobos even wrote pieces featuring the Bandoneon. Perhaps it’s not too much of a stretch to say that bossa nova share common roots with the pioneering works of Villalobos, who legitimized the authenticity and vibrancy of Brazilian culture. Nadia Boulanger’s influence continues to this day.
is there any merit to considering her 'one of the greatest' or are you equating potential with actual? I can't say I'm familiar with her work but it looks like she left a small oeuvre, even considering how young she died. Most of the female composers ppl try to being attention to are actually not underrated, they were hobbyist composers of mostly rote salon music who get *more* regard than their actual music warrants by virtue of being a relatively rare thing (a female composer). Is there any piece of hers you can recommend for the uninitiated that showcases an original composing talent?
@@helvete_ingres4717 Du Fond de l’Abime is a masterpiece. Also, before running your mouth off, you should know that she won the Prix de Rome and almost won it twice, but passed out during one of the exams due to her chronic illness.
@@jacobbass6437 why on earth should I know that piece of meaningless trivia? Prizes are very temporal things, they're no indication of anyone being 'one of the greatest' - movies win oscars every year that no one ever talks about again, only very short-sighted people place importance on such things. Anyway I've already listened to the piece mentioned in this video, Faust + Helen, it sounded like someone from the 20th century trying to write like Wagner with orchestral texture almost straight from Tristan + Isolde. Or rather, nothing about it even told me it was written in the 20th century
@@helvete_ingres4717 why should you know that, because you ignorantly dismissed her compositional prowess while having not heard any of her music nor knowing anything about her just because she is a woman. Do I agree the Faust et Helen is a Wagnerian, yes. Do I still think it presents great compositional prowess, yes, but I don't think it is representational of her great works, which is why I recommended Du Fond de l'Abime.
@@jacobbass6437 your reading comprehension is subnormal if you equate 'asking for a recommendation on where to start' with 'ignorant dismissal'. I also asked for justification on ranking her 'one of the best' (not that I personally see all that much value in ranking composers) - even if she had composed a masterpiece or more than one, thats a very tall claim. Second, I made a very general claim about female composers from history which if you're at all honest, you wont' dispute eg. Clara Schumann, wrote music that was totally mediocre and ironically for all the story gets told that female composers were unjustly ignored by history, no one would remember her name or listen to her music today if she had NOT been a woman and married to Robert Schumann. Failing to distinguish between general and specific statements is something unintelligent people struggle with. Also you fail to convince me why I 'should' know some piece of trivia about a composer winning an award, nor is this really evidence of the 'compositional prowess' you allude to, not least b/c such institutions that gave such awards were usually very conservative and hostile to originality, or boundary-pushing works.
This is a wonderful introduction to Lili Boulanger's life and work. Thank you so much for it! She should be known and performed widely. I have only one tiny question or cavil. At 13:38, the score shown looks like a couple of pages of Hanon piano exercises; I'm curious about why it's there.
I live near the Eastman School of Music and study there part time on and off. I went to a concert last week and they performed two of Lili's pieces. She has become one of my favorites over the past few years. sad she died so young
Vieille prière bouddhique as simple as it's melody is, is one of the most thrilling pieces of the 20th century. If you take also her Faust et Helena you can safely say that she is really one of the greats
I like her music, it's okay, but it's wrong to say She's one of the greatest composers of the Century. Because she didnt achieve even half of what the greatest composers of the Century achieved, and most importantly because her music doesnt have that special Quality that Genius composers have. She's good but you can't call everyone a Genius, she didnt write any masterpiece.
@@jemiller226 what? Disagreeing with somebody calling an average composer one of the greatest of the Century is cutting off others legs? To me is just saying what i feel, and what most people feel actually, so i'm not alone in this. Maybe i could have put it more friendly, i guess i was a bit angry at the super exageration of her music. "I like her music, she clearly is very intelligent and talented, but i dont think her music has that special Quality of the greatest composers, such as Bach Mozart Beethoven Chopin Schubert Brahms Mahler Wagner. I don't see how she should be considered one of the greats. Now that she is dead of course, when she was alive she was a great promise, like Alma Deutscher is now, but that doesnt put them in the absolute Genius category. When i think someones music is tracendent i say it, i praise them, i'm not envious. I admire all kinds of people. I think Jacob Collier is a truly great musician, composer. So are the beatles, Queen, beach boys. And if he (Collier) goes on writing great music he might become in the future one of the greatest composers of the 21st Century. In fact i like some pieces by Lily Boulanger, but the few pieces She's written are not masterpieces. And besides, it's a talk between people who don't know each other over the internet. Cutting off someones legs would if i go and say it to her face or in public or in a Review as a critic or something like that. Theres a reason someone in privacy is completely free. The social norms to not hurt others feelings by telling the truth arent there, when you are alone
If I had a time machine,take me back to Paris,circa 1890. Maybe take the train to Spain for a week. Debussy,Ravel,Faure',Saint Saens,Monet,Pizarro,Renoir,DeFalla,Granados,Albeniz..and not least,the Boulanger sisters. What an age.
I had a uni assignment on women in 20th century music. At first I was worried I would have to write about someone I didn't care about, but then I stumbled onto the Boulanger sisters. Lili's story has moved me to tears. Thanks for bringing attention on her!
In the 1970s, while I was at Iowa State University, I heard a music professor recount his experience as a student of Nadia Boulanger, showing that wit and humor were part of her teaching technique. She accepted this young American man as a student following her policy of accepting Americans not necessarily because they were talented but because they could afford her and she needed the money. (She was frank with him on this score.) He prepared a piece to play for her, taking care to perform it very expressively. As he was playing, Nadia laid a hand on his arm signaling him to stop. He did, and she said, "I think you are making it a little too beautiful."
I don't remember the last time that I was this hyped for a video. Lili Boulanger deserves every bit of additional exposure!
You don't know who she is lying sap
I am French and a classical music lover. I didn’t know about Lily Boulanger. I thank you for allowing me to discover her wonderful music that speaks to my Heart.
But surely you must have heard of her sister Nadia who was a most influential teacher and composer. Among her many students was Brazil’s great Hector Villalobos.
«Me too» !
I am French. I had NEVER heard those names before in my life, or heard about those ladies before, and had to learn that from a British guy, on YT. Pretty humbling I guess.
I'm so glad this video showed up on my feed. She was an amazing talent, and the world is impoverished by her early death. I'd never heard of her before, but I'll definitely look up her music.
I'd never heard of her either. I had heard her sister's name; but didn't know what she did either. You Tube Out of the Blue Algorithm scores an excellent piece.
One of my music professors was a student of the great Nadia. No doubt, they were 2 brilliant female human beings. I once composed a piece of music to compliment mighty female musical talent. Nadia, Lili, Clara Schumann, Nannerl Mozart, Fanny Mendelssohn, and today the fabulous Hilary Hahn. Super Beautiful!
Lili Boulanger has made so many master pieces, she was a musical wonder child, she died 24 years old - only the greatest composers (f.i. Schubert, Mendelssohn and of course Mozart) made master pieces when they were so young. Unbelieveble she made Psaume 130 a massive work (half an hour long) for choir and orchestra nearly 20 years old, what is far more beautiful than a lot of works in this genre what we now often on the radio hear
this girl really had a chronic illness, died super young, and is just one of the most incredible composers i have ever listened to.
I introduced my daughter to classical music a long time ago but at some point, it dawned on me that all of the composers I was bringing to her attention were male (you know, the usual suspects: Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, etc.). So I Googled "female composers" one day and Lili Boulanger popped up. I gave her a listen and loved her sound immediately. Like everyone, I would have loved to have heard what she could have done post-24 years of age but that's just the way the universe works sometimes.
You have turn an old “rocker” into a Lili Boulanger fan 🤘🏼 Thank you so much for your video’s . I stumbled upon it by accident.
I had the unforgettable privilege of singing in the semi-chorus of Psalm 130 at a major choral festival a few years ago. It was one of the most incredible musical experiences of my life. Such an extraordinary piece of music!!
Amazing that we do not have this woman on a pedestal near Mendelssohn or Chopin-both prodigies whose lives were abbreviated. In virtual terms she already shares a plinth with Fanny Mendelssohn, a gifted musician who wanted to compose, and began, but was discouraged. It’s bad enough to be cheated out of perhaps the greatest music never written by men like Mozart and Schubert, because they died young of diseases for which treatments did not exist. But we must also reckon the absence of great music and art, mathematics and physics, entire libraries on astronomy, chemistry, geology, engineering, biology, anthropology, medicine, linguistics, philosophy, because until about 50 years ago, half the human race has been handcuffed to kitchen and nursery doorknobs.
Fortunately for the civilized world there are still intelligent women who enjoy raising children in a healthy family environment, and who don’t consider the task “being handcuffed to a kitchen doorknob” (as if that were ever the case).
@@TokyoXtreme In a just world, all men and all women would not feel limited in their choices. I would have loved to be the parent who did the home care for my kids, or at least more than I was allowed by the situation available to me.
I was making a defense of larger choice for women. Your remark strikes me as offensive, actually, because no one was denigrating the work in the home--only the relegation of one role per sex. Why this internet impulse to correct everyone's thoughts, even when intentions are honorable?
@@prototropo Empty virtue signaling.
@@TokyoXtreme It was virtue bull-horning, actually. And how empty is any assertion that attracts reflexive reactions, like subservience-signaling.
@@prototropo Being content and consistent with your biological role is fulfilling and supremely satisfying - nothing “subservient” about it. You can still write music while raising children… you don’t need to be a 45 y.o. catlady who runs the PR department.
God Bless You Lili. Your music will forever play upon our heartstrings.
I only yesterday [14 April 2022] "discovered" Lili and her astonishingly beautiful music ("Faust et Hélène")... And I have a graduate degree in music from a major American university ! Since then I have listened to four or five of her gorgeous choral works.
Where had she been - where had *I* been - all these years!
You're right: she most certainly would have become a towering musical presence had she lived as long as her wonderful teacher/sister, Nadia.
How very sad that she left us at only 24... at the beginning of her career as a composer.
But what a true joy to partake of the music she gave us in her brief life.
Every century has its musical tragedy
18th being Mozarts early death
19th century being Schubert's early death
20th being Boulanger and Gershwins early death
Also, Chopin died before reaching the age of 40. Fortunately he was able to compose a large quantity of incredible compositions, and I would argue that Chopin's music is most consistently beautiful. Most composers have some better compositions as well as some missteps, but almost every piece written by Chopin is a gem.
Guillaume Lekeu
Oh shut up you've never heard of her
Kalinnikov (compared with Chaykovskiy)
Felix Mendelssohn died at 38.
My wife walked down the aisle to Lili Boulanger. Performed live of course.Specifically the first movement of Clarieres Dans le Ciel.
Lilli Boulanger sneaked onto my radar
when the programmer of the local concert hall
sneaked a piece of hers onto a programme
a few years ago
It was the revelation of the evening / season.
I’m now at peace having seen someone use “sneaked” instead of “snuck.” 😂
Major props
@@callmeqt1269
I learnt my English in Britain
and the older form "sneaked"
is more common than
the American upstart "snuck".
It is interesting that the verb "to sneak"
became irregular in North American
when it had been regular in Britain
for centuries.
I understand both
but when push comes to shove
I tend to use the word sneaked
in speaking and writing.
I found her when I had to play one of her pieces (nocturne) for an exam. Needless to say, it's my favourite piece ever
Doing chores and listening to classical music is the best!
It is so surprising there hasn't been a biopic movie on the Boulanger sisters yet, it has great cathartic and pathetic (in the traditional theater meaning) potential !
Hollywood obviously prefers making hundreds movies about batman or captain america.
@@nicktamer4969 L reply tbh
@@nicktamer4969 to bad but how about French? it was my thought also . What a pity we do not have the film about this lady composer. How about the feminists movie makers?
@@LeRoi715 problem is : both the Boulangers worked (litterally) to their death to reach this level. Ain't exactly the message modern Hollywood is trying to pass right now; and as to the French cinema, the nature of financements in this industry makes the decision makers (Public TV channels) only go for safe mediocre "comedies" with always the same actors, or very low budget "social-messaging " movies. A high end classical music biopic, despite its story-telling potential, looks too risky for them
@@Cancoillotteman That’s why the studio system was the best.
Her story touched me beyond words. Thank you so much for sharing.
I found this by accident. I'm not a devotee of classical music, but I was moved both by Lili's story and the snippets of her music provided. I shall have to listen to more of her music. And as to the creator of this vid, his enthusiasm for his subject is truly infectious!
Wow, these songs are absolutely soul rending. Thank you so much for spreading her music to more people!
Thank you so much for bringing attention to Lili, who I discovered in a recent voice recital. She deserves more recognition and it’s a shame she seems to have fallen through the cracks of music history.
It’s amazing that one family brought forth such amazing gifts. The sheer determination and focus shown by both sisters through there accomplishments, gained despite of great pain, is baffling. Their shared passion for music in all its forms, and their faith in its Provider should inspire us all. Thanks Oscar, for yet another glimpse into a whole new world of music.
I have never heard of her before! I actually feel that those of us who have never heard of her or her work have been robbed of the genius works of someone who created so much within the short time that she had on this earth. thanx for sharing 👍
Astonishing. I didn’t know her and yet, just by listening to a fee minutes of her works I know already she’ll be one of my favourites
I feel the same you. I'm very drawn to the sound of her music.
That's because you two are easily manipulated sheep! You listen to some hype & without any personal investment, you're more than convinced! BaaAAaah! BAAaaAAh!
@@marblemadness8870 what a strange thing for you to be upset about, they’re not changing their politics or religious beliefs, or any other thing that is wildly important. They’ve just been exposed to a new musician and like it.
@@bblovesyou1 his marbles gettin away from him?
I discovered her when I was around 14, by accident, in the library, before learning about all the Americans who had later studied with her sister, Nadia. A few years after, I had a professor who had studied with Nadia and I could barely get two sentences out of him about that experience. Quite odd, I thought, but I assumed it was, in his case, brutal.
Nah man he lied to you. If they dont wanna talk about it it's either a lie or he/she did something bad to her/him.
@@olearris Absolutes are problematic states, friend. It’s good to recall that there is every kind of personality under the sun. No, I left the anecdote early. There is no question this prof was her pupil, nor that he earned his place, he did. It’s a known. However, perhaps “intense“ doesn’t describe NB, and, at the end of the day, like NB, composition was not his strong suit. The other 1-2 degree-away personal, reliable connection I had came a couple years before I was recommended to this particular prof, and the four others who had adjudicated in his dept, when I had been connected by an older, established composer friend to Slonimsky, while I was a teen. NS, who was positively loquacious and incredibly generous to me, spent many afternoons over the years (until his serious health issues intervened), going into technical details about structural concepts and devices in composition, yet spoke equally and with just as much passion and vigor about anyone in music he knew and everything I plied him with. He loved regaling, and he did touch on Ms. N. Boulanger. She was difficult as I understood. My ultimate impression remains that, although she had a greater track record of meaningfully assisting many artists along their way, she also broke a few as Frank Lloyd Wright did (virtually all) of those Taliesen fellows. At the same time, 20th c American serious music would have been quite different without her.
I doubt you've heard of her liar
@@jasonbourne5142 What a bizarre comment. Do your parents know you’re on the Internet? Be well, friend. BTW, if one has been involved at any level with serious music in the 20th c, it’s impossible to not be aware of Nadia Boulanger. If one is aware of Nadia Boulanger, it’s impossible to be unaware of Lili Boulanger. There are more obscure tracks before you hit the wilderness, fella. Good luck. LOL.
This comment and it's replies are peak comedy. Made my day 10/10.
Thank you so very much for creating such a warm, dedicated documentation.
I don't listen to music like this, but have watched this as UA-cam sent it to me, and your voice has such passion it kept me watching. You explain it well. Thanks:)
What an incredible story, what an amazing talent. These are the kind of stories that need to be told so that these prodigies can be brought to the forefront & their great works can be enjoyed by more people.
Thank you for an excellent vid. 🤟❤
6766666
66666676ı76
7
So sad she was cut short by her illness. I didn't know there was such a thing as intestinal tuberculosis.
Her music is lovely!
Thank you for this video. I had never heard of her. Such a shame she died at only 24. What a loss. But now her memory lives on.
Quelle tristesse de mourir si jeune. J'adore sa musique qui par chance a été interprétée par de grands artistes. On ne s'en lasse pas. Merci pour cette belle vidéo.
Luscious works. So powerful, yet so kind and gentle.
I will be singing "Hymne au soleil" in a concert with the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay in March. I am so excited about the prospect of presenting one example of Lili Boulanger's genius.
Beautiful. Thakyou!
This video moved me in such an unexpected way.
Oh, the power of music ..... and sad stories.
Thank you for educating us on this wonderful music! Never heard of her before.
Lili Boulanger absolutely would have dominated the 20th century had we been blessed with her full and healthy life. A voice unlike any other for a century or more before or after. A life of suffering but she left us the gifts of her works.
thank you for this introduction to composer Lili Boulanger. fascinating, gorgeous & unfamiliar music. until, this is, the taste of the Pie Jesu towards the end of your video. in addition to being a recording artist, composer & performer, i would sometimes record other artists who needed their performance documented. one such was a college student's graduation project which included the Pie Jesu. at the time of the recording, i was unfamiliar with the piece, & my jaw dropped with the opening interval. she performed the piece flawlessly, & i was never quite the same. of all the recordings i have made for other artists, it is the only piece i still listen to.
thank you again for this video.
I don't know why this video was proposed to me, but I'm glad I've watched it clued to my seat.
Complements to the composer and narrator for the excellent job done with this video.
Greating from Milan in Italy.
Music so achingly beautiful. That last piece I want played at my funeral, it needs to played, heard. Friends and family will appreciate it’s glory.🦋
It's only a loss for what she could have done. What she DID do has already impressed the great musical minds of her generation, and those who came after. We can be grateful for what was freely given to us. Thank you for this mini documentary.
I’ve never heard of this composer before and didn’t know if I would enjoy her…but the moment I heard Les Sirenes in the vid I immediately paused and played it alone and nearly cried at the last 5 seconds. So beautiful!
Just performed Faust et Helene last year. An absolute masterpiece for someone so young, I loved it and couldn't believe I hadn't heard of it before. Incredibly mature vocal writing balanced with a equally potent orchestral sounds.
Thank you so much for this video.
Thanks reminding us Lili from France
Thank you Thank you for providing this introduction, and this after hearing her name for so many years.
And now I’ve learned something valuable. Thank you.
Looked forward to this video! Then talks all the way through it !
Thank you so much for this wonderful introduction to an outstanding composer and musician
I heard Lili Boulanger on Radio 3 and have been hooked since.
Thank you for introducing her hand her work to me! I had never heard of this genius.
this was a perfect video for me to stumble across on womens history months.
i think lili boulanger life shows n many ways that you are more fortunate than others.
with that aside even having the sickness that plagued her life, she kept moving forward.
I find it commendable🔥
may she along with her sister Nadia boulanger,
rest in peace.
Thank you so much for this show. I was looking for this music.
Thank you for all that you do.
I relate so much to Lily's challenges with health as I recently had to leave a college that wouldn't accommodate my disability. I live in constant pain and constant weakness since childhood. I have no doubt though that I will continue to pursue a music career in spite of it.
Stay strong and good luck with everything! I admire people who despite their constant pains manage to actually keep creating!
@@stanimirlambov7222 Thank you 😌
Such lack of accommodation should be illegal by now. The time will come when we will look back at ourselves in shame. I hope there’s a way to urgent change. Sending you much strength and love from Brazil ✨
@@terrylaguardia6838 💞
Hauntingly beautiful music - thank you for bringing her back into my attention!
Her story literally made me tear up a little. It is truly unfair. Lili was so talented!
Can someone please recommend me some publishing of her works?
I was very moved by your podcast, I thought she was forgotten, her music is indeed very very French. I live in Paris and I will drop flowers on his grave for you. Berlioz is in the same cemetery. Thank you very much for your work.
Thank you so much for putting this video together. What wonderful music. Thank you.
Thank you, this was most inspiring video about a genius that whom we lost so young.
WOW. Don't recall hearing about Lili Boulanger before. The examples you gave of her music here are exquisitely beautiful. Thanks so much, Inside the Score.What an excellent video; an easy decision on subscribing to you.Thanks again !!
This American composer of a New England folk opera and other pieces for piano thanks you for your wonderful tribute to the late great Lili Boulanger and references to her beloved sister Nadia! It's too bad that more women composers are recognized like the late great American composer Amy Beach, another New Englander whose music was performed at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago's White City! And it's too bad we have to make references to "women composers" when we don't go around saying "men or male composers"! Sexism is still rampant in the field of music, unfortunately! Sad that Lili had to suffer so much with illness. Hopefully, her brilliant legacy will live on and more people will discover her as well!
Another Lili Boulanger piece that could have been explored is Sous Bois, as its a truly incredible piece.
Absolutely love this video! Thank you for making it!!
So a very contemporary to another music woman genius Maria Grever.
Well, what a fabulous discovery: the Channel, and Lili's extraordinary music. Thank you so much.
I first discovered the music of Lili Boulanger through a book at the San Diego Public Library that told her story, including her being the first woman to win the Prix de Rome and her untimely death at age 24. The moment I read about her cantata "Faust et Héléne" I knew I had to listen to it, and it turned out to be every bit as good as the book had said it was, a musical masterpiece worthy to stand alongside Arrigo Boïto's setting of the Faust-and-Helen scene in his opera "Mefistofele" (the most underrated opera of all time, but that's another story). Lili Boulanger's music shows the influence of Debussy (the 900-pound elephant in the French musical world) but also a massive orchestral sonority I'd expect more from a German than a French composer of her time. There's a sense that she had potential she didn't live long enough to achieve (something we don't think of about Mozart, Schubert or Gershwin, despite their early deaths), but the relatively small amount of music she actually left behind certainly deserves to be far bearer known.
Amazing work! Thanks for the commentary and the subtle use of musical parlance.
Thank you for sharing. ✝️🎼
The first thing I heard by her was Faust et Helene live in a hall. I’ve been a fan ever since.
Lili Boulanger deserves this attention
wow never heard of her, thank you so much.
Nadia Boulanger was very influential among emerging composers best exemplified by Brazil’s Hector Villalobos. They were encouraged to be authentic and natural, which had the effect of native and folkloric sources of inspiration being incorporated into their works. Villalobos even wrote pieces featuring the Bandoneon.
Perhaps it’s not too much of a stretch to say that bossa nova share common roots with the pioneering works of Villalobos, who legitimized the authenticity and vibrancy of Brazilian culture.
Nadia Boulanger’s influence continues to this day.
Thank you so much for having prepared this great presentation and for letting the world know what Lili was about
Stop acting like you've heard of her, you're not special
Thank you 🙏 so much for educating us.
Thank you very much for this beautiful video
Nice video, very well done... i didn't knew her, but after this i heard about 2 hours already! I have to say THANK YOU
By the way. thanks for the introduction to her magnificent music. Stunning
Delightfully informative. Thank you. 🙏🏾
Thank you so much for this video! Lili's life story always breaks my heart, I wish she'll be one day recognized as one of the greatest
is there any merit to considering her 'one of the greatest' or are you equating potential with actual? I can't say I'm familiar with her work but it looks like she left a small oeuvre, even considering how young she died. Most of the female composers ppl try to being attention to are actually not underrated, they were hobbyist composers of mostly rote salon music who get *more* regard than their actual music warrants by virtue of being a relatively rare thing (a female composer). Is there any piece of hers you can recommend for the uninitiated that showcases an original composing talent?
@@helvete_ingres4717 Du Fond de l’Abime is a masterpiece. Also, before running your mouth off, you should know that she won the Prix de Rome and almost won it twice, but passed out during one of the exams due to her chronic illness.
@@jacobbass6437 why on earth should I know that piece of meaningless trivia? Prizes are very temporal things, they're no indication of anyone being 'one of the greatest' - movies win oscars every year that no one ever talks about again, only very short-sighted people place importance on such things. Anyway I've already listened to the piece mentioned in this video, Faust + Helen, it sounded like someone from the 20th century trying to write like Wagner with orchestral texture almost straight from Tristan + Isolde. Or rather, nothing about it even told me it was written in the 20th century
@@helvete_ingres4717 why should you know that, because you ignorantly dismissed her compositional prowess while having not heard any of her music nor knowing anything about her just because she is a woman. Do I agree the Faust et Helen is a Wagnerian, yes. Do I still think it presents great compositional prowess, yes, but I don't think it is representational of her great works, which is why I recommended Du Fond de l'Abime.
@@jacobbass6437 your reading comprehension is subnormal if you equate 'asking for a recommendation on where to start' with 'ignorant dismissal'. I also asked for justification on ranking her 'one of the best' (not that I personally see all that much value in ranking composers) - even if she had composed a masterpiece or more than one, thats a very tall claim. Second, I made a very general claim about female composers from history which if you're at all honest, you wont' dispute eg. Clara Schumann, wrote music that was totally mediocre and ironically for all the story gets told that female composers were unjustly ignored by history, no one would remember her name or listen to her music today if she had NOT been a woman and married to Robert Schumann. Failing to distinguish between general and specific statements is something unintelligent people struggle with. Also you fail to convince me why I 'should' know some piece of trivia about a composer winning an award, nor is this really evidence of the 'compositional prowess' you allude to, not least b/c such institutions that gave such awards were usually very conservative and hostile to originality, or boundary-pushing works.
Yes!! I made that masterisation at 8:38 I have it in my DeviantArt
The cover of the video is also mine, but I'm proud that people use them; and even more so that they talk about Lili.
Still you should ask for credits @@Emiliasooo
@@allister.trudel That's why I made this comment. But I'm not quite sure how to ask for credits XD
People seeing this comment is enough for me.
Very good channel. Informative and passionate.
Thanks for sharing this. I've never heard of her before. Gonna put her on my list right now!
This is a wonderful introduction to Lili Boulanger's life and work. Thank you so much for it!
She should be known and performed widely.
I have only one tiny question or cavil. At 13:38, the score shown looks like a couple of pages of Hanon piano exercises; I'm curious about why it's there.
I thought the very same thing! Hanon! What's that doing here?
You never heard of her stop trying to be noticed
Thank you for this amazing introduction to this music.
I live near the Eastman School of Music and study there part time on and off. I went to a concert last week and they performed two of Lili's pieces. She has become one of my favorites over the past few years.
sad she died so young
Thankyou for introducing me to some beautiful music!
Thank you
whywhywhywhy have I never heard of Lili before!!???? thanks for spreading the word! Her works are amazing!!!
@@ryanpmcguire wtf??
A very amazing life what a great composer!
Vieille prière bouddhique as simple as it's melody is, is one of the most thrilling pieces of the 20th century. If you take also her Faust et Helena you can safely say that she is really one of the greats
Oh shut up you don't know who she is
I like her music, it's okay, but it's wrong to say She's one of the greatest composers of the Century.
Because she didnt achieve even half of what the greatest composers of the Century achieved, and most importantly because her music doesnt have that special Quality that Genius composers have.
She's good but you can't call everyone a Genius, she didnt write any masterpiece.
@@ignacioclerici5341 Do you always need to cut off other's legs to make you feel taller?
@@jemiller226 Excellent and apt Saying. I'll use it somewhere, I'm sure.
@@jemiller226 what?
Disagreeing with somebody calling an average composer one of the greatest of the Century is cutting off others legs?
To me is just saying what i feel, and what most people feel actually, so i'm not alone in this.
Maybe i could have put it more friendly, i guess i was a bit angry at the super exageration of her music.
"I like her music, she clearly is very intelligent and talented, but i dont think her music has that special Quality of the greatest composers, such as Bach Mozart Beethoven Chopin Schubert Brahms Mahler Wagner.
I don't see how she should be considered one of the greats.
Now that she is dead of course, when she was alive she was a great promise, like Alma Deutscher is now, but that doesnt put them in the absolute Genius category.
When i think someones music is tracendent i say it, i praise them, i'm not envious. I admire all kinds of people.
I think Jacob Collier is a truly great musician, composer. So are the beatles, Queen, beach boys.
And if he (Collier) goes on writing great music he might become in the future one of the greatest composers of the 21st Century.
In fact i like some pieces by Lily Boulanger, but the few pieces She's written are not masterpieces.
And besides, it's a talk between people who don't know each other over the internet.
Cutting off someones legs would if i go and say it to her face or in public or in a Review as a critic or something like that.
Theres a reason someone in privacy is completely free. The social norms to not hurt others feelings by telling the truth arent there, when you are alone
Thank you very much for this recommendation, it is absolutely fantastic. I love your videos amigo. Luigi
If I had a time machine,take me back to Paris,circa 1890. Maybe take the train to Spain for a week. Debussy,Ravel,Faure',Saint Saens,Monet,Pizarro,Renoir,DeFalla,Granados,Albeniz..and not least,the Boulanger sisters. What an age.
Thank you so much for this. It’s brilliant, thank you thank you.
Thanks for discovering this amazing composer
Amazing composer
This was a fabulous tribute. Thank you.
I had a uni assignment on women in 20th century music. At first I was worried I would have to write about someone I didn't care about, but then I stumbled onto the Boulanger sisters. Lili's story has moved me to tears. Thanks for bringing attention on her!
i have one on 18th century female composers. it is a mission to find information to say the least.
God i love her so much and i have waited this video so much. Thank you