Somehow, I missed the centenary of the birth of Ruth Gipps (1921-1999), pupil of Ralph Vaughan Williams, whose music I programmed with pleasure while at WWFM. Oh, how I look forward to the day I’ll be allowed back into a studio to put together new shows pertaining to landmark anniversaries. So many of these have slipped by over the Year of Covid.
Had I a live air shift on February 20, no doubt I would have realized it was Gipps’ 100th birthday. Be that as it may, there is another way to honor her. On Monday – International Women’s Day – scholars and musicians will convene for an online symposium centering on Gipps’ life and works. The hour-long stream will begin at 12:45 pm EST. Registration is required. A donation is suggested. You’ll find more information here:
At 26, Gipps became the youngest English woman ever to receive a doctorate in music. Her mastery of both the oboe and piano suggested a promising future as soloist in virtuoso concert works. However, a shoulder injury, suffered in her early 30s, caused her to shift her focus primarily to composition. Along the way, she also founded two orchestras and directed a choral ensemble.
Her tone poem, “Knight in Armour,” was performed at the Last Night of the Proms in 1942. Despite early success, she encountered resistance in a field dominated by men. No doubt this contributed to her steely resolve. She was tenacious. Some also found her off-putting.
In all, she left five symphonies, a respectable number of concertos and concertante works, chamber and instrumental music, and choral pieces. Hopefully, we’ll get to hear more of them soon.
Register for the symposium. Then take 24 minutes to enjoy Gipps’ multifaceted Symphony No. 2 (1945):
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