Charlotte Sohy (1887-1955) was a French composer whose prolific work garnered much less recognition in her lifetime than it deserved, largely due to the gender biases of her era. Born into a musical family in Bar-le-Duc in northeastern France, Sohy was encouraged in her creative pursuits and studied at the Schola Cantorum in Paris under the tutelage of renowned composers like Vincent d'Indy and Albert Roussel. In a career that spanned both world wars, her compositions reflected the impressionist and neo-classical influences of her time but also bore a distinct voice that wove lyrical melodies with rich harmonic textures.

After a hiatus from composition, Sohy's oeuvre began garnering renewed attention in the 21st century as musicologists and performers worldwide undertook efforts to rebalance historical narratives and repertoires. Her contributions span a diverse range of categories including orchestral, chamber, and piano music, as well as songs and choral works. The recent releases of her music, including the "Sonate pour piano" and "Orchestral Music," reveal an artist whose refined and emotive craft illuminates her as one of the hidden gems of French classical music. Her compositions, such as "Deux Poèmes chantés, Op. 17" and "Tryptique champêtre, Op. 21," highlight her ability to interlace pastoral beauty with sophisticated artistry, offering a window into the nuanced landscape of early 20th-century French composition that continued to evolve in new directions despite the era's conservative constraints.

Genres

Classical

Neo-classical

Choral

Art Song

Latest Release

Sonate pour piano: I. Animé

Charlotte Sohy•

Marie Vermeulin

Single - Released February 10, 2023