Musicologica Olomucensia

Musicologica Olomucensia 2, (2024):74-91

Vítězslava Kaprálová on the French Music Scene: A Gradual Rediscovery Since 2001

Nolwenn Danhyer

Department of Music and Musicology, Faculty of Arts, Humanities, Sorbonne University, France

The Czech composer Vítězslava Kaprálová (1915–1940) maintained a profound connection with Paris throughout her career, undertaking studies at the École Normale de Musique. As both a composer and conductor, Kaprálová distinguished herself within domains traditionally dominated by men, and integrated successfully into the artistic milieu of her era. Despite her achievements, however, her legacy in France diminished after her premature death, remaining largely confined to brief and sporadic references until the early 21st century. This article critically assesses Kaprálová’s position within French music programming since 2001. Many aspects are explored, such as the evolution of the number of concerts that include opuses of Kaprálová, her most interpreted works according to the musical genre, or her place in the French musical institutions. Finally, a broader critique reveals how these observations fit in the institutional structures within the French musical landscape and the negative impact these structures have for the visibility of women composers.

Keywords: Women composers; Czechoslovakia; Paris; Vítězslava Kaprálová; program; performance; broadcast; masculinity; femininity.

Accepted: February 28, 2025; Published: September 1, 2024  Show citation