After Made In U.S.A., a ‘spellbinding’ album for Alpha Classics devoted to her American roots, pianist Claire Huangci now celebrates female composers with Piano Heroines, acknowledging: ‘The realities these women faced are difficult to imagine for any modern woman in the field.’

Clara Wieck (who became Schumann after her marriage to Robert in 1840) was a mother of eight and the main breadwinner, constantly on tour. Fanny Hensel composed largely in private, often publishing under her brother’s name. Amy Beach’s career was practically silenced during her marriage; only upon her husband’s death did she return to the stage. Florence Price faced both racial and gender discrimination and later raised two children alone.

Across the centuries, the voices of these women reach us thanks to musicians like Claire: ‘In their music, we don’t just hear history. We hear transformation. Heroines is my way of listening back—and adding my voice to theirs.’

Claire Huangci, Piano