After watching Leonard Bernstein conduct one of his iconic Young People’s concerts, Marin Alsop decided she wanted to be a conductor, too. Even when her violin teacher told her “girls don’t do that,” Ms. Alsop’s mother told her otherwise. Marin Alsop lived up to her mother’s vision, and became the first woman conductor of a major American orchestra. Today’s Beautiful Music features Marin Alsop conducting a rousing performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from George Frideric Handel’s oratorio MESSIAH, complete with audience participation. You can also hear her talk about her start in music, and the glass ceiling she faced. And finally, a behind-the-scenes look at the Jazz-Gospel version of Messiah, TOO HOT TO HANDEL, conceived by Marin Alsop.
(49) First Woman Conductor of a Major American Orchestra – YouTube
(49) Handel: Aleluia / Marin Alsop . OSESP – YouTube
(49) Behind the Scenes of “Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah” – YouTube