The Silent Symphony: Gender Gap in Classical Music Composition Classical music composition, a tapestry of intellect, emotion, and imagination, should be a gender-neutral art form. From the soaring symphonies of Europe to the intricate ragas of India, it thrives on creativity alone. Yet, the field remains starkly gendered: women’s works accounted for only 7% of pieces performed by major orchestras in 2023 (Donne, 2024). No woman has dominated the canon like Bach or Beethoven, and female composers like Clara Schumann or Kaija Saariaho are exceptions, not the norm. Why does this gap persist in an art form where talent should reign? Why do women’s festivals and competitions exist? This essay delves into the historical, cultural, psychological, and systemic factors behind the gender divide in classical music composition. A Historical Silence: The Roots of Exclusion Classical music composition has long been a male preserve. “Women were excluded from conservatories and ...