The Position of Women Composers in the World and in Bulgaria – is the Audience of Contemporary Classical Music Privileged or Deprived?

Abstract

The article addresses the issue of discrimination against women in their work field, which is still relevant today. It contains an overview of the historical development of women in the composers’ profession around the world and in Bulgaria, as well as an outline of the difficulties and accomplishments of famous women composers. The obstacles in the work realization of world-renowned women composers are sought: the Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho, the Soviet/Tatar composer Sofia Gubaidulina and the Bulgarian composer Julia Tsenova. An overview of annual statistics on the presence of women composers in the world's concert halls is shown and analyzed. Statistics on the concert program in the major Bulgarian halls are provided. Answers to current questions about the impact of globalization on the audience of contemporary classical music in Bulgaria in comparison with the world state are sought. The term discrimination in the professional music field is defined and researched, and those affected are noted.