An interesting statistic came to light recently which claimed that of the 75,000 music-writers – composers, songwriters and lyricists – that are members of the UK royalty collecting society, PRS for Music, only 14% are women.

Maybe that relates more to other genres than to contemporary classical music where in the British Isles today, there are many women writing exciting and challenging music in a great range of styles.

Discover music by women composers

Take, for example, Cheryl Frances Hoad who in 2010 carried off two of the coveted British Composer Awards in one evening. King’s Place last year carried a series of performances on which Cheryl was one of the collaborating composers. This music is typical of the delicacy, thoughtfulness, precision and passion of her writing.

Danielle Perrett is a composer-performer. A harpist of reknown, she produces both original works and annotated editions of harp music, specialising in the lever harp. This clip shows her performing on her ‘David’ pedal harp.

Enid Luff whose music is published by Primavera has had a long relationship, as a composer, with the written word. Her writing is uncompromising and courageous as you will hear in this performance for International Women’s Day, 2009, given by Frances Lynch.

Moving to the other end of the stylistic spectrum for voice, Iris Litchfield has a real gift for melody. Here the Orpington Chorale rehearse, We thank you Lord. Iris Litchfield’s music has found an audience around the world, including American Airlines who play CDs of her reflective piano music before take off!

Towards the same end of the stylistic spectrum sits Canadian-born but UK-resident composer, Colleen Muriel. Another melodicist, her music is evocative and emotional although she often places it within the context of great traditions such as this Fantasia and Ricercare.

Rounding off this brief review of some of the women composers active in the UK today is Purcell descendant, Sarah Rodgers. Purcell is Sarah’s 9 x great uncle and this short, reflective clarinet piece, Carter Ground, uses a technique much loved of Henry Purcell, the ground bass.

This is just some of the many scores by women composers which you will find at tutti.co.uk

Discover scores by women composers