Vitězslava Kápralová became the mistress of her teacher, Bohuslav Martinu. She was also one of the great hopes of Czech music. Kápralová died of tuberculosis in 1940, aged only 25 years, but left behind an impressive body of work – as well as a forlorn Martinu, whom she left to marry writer Jiří Mucha. Her music was championed by Rafael Kubelik and Rudolf Firkušný. In 1946, the Czech Academy of Sciences and Arts awarded Kápralová a membership, in memoriam.

We’ll enjoy her “Partita for String Orchestra with Piano” in the 9:00 hour. It’s all music by female composers this morning until 11 ET, as we celebrate Women’s History Month on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com.