ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the attitudes towards, and beliefs about, women composers and their work, as evidenced in the writings of musicologists, music critics and the media. Examination of the canon of music literature quickly confirms the subjective attitude of the male-dominated musical establishment. Their patronizing and discriminatory beliefs have played a major part in reinforcing women's inferior and peripheral position in music and in the wider culture. The chapter examines what effect these traditional views have had on the study group of women composers, their work, their sense of identity and their self-esteem. The most obvious way of suppressing awareness and encouragement of female creativity is by denying its existence. Although it is now clear that women have participated in music as composers throughout history and across cultures, the term 'composer' has usually been understood to denote a male creator.
