The LGBTQIA+ community is here and queer all year, but Pride Month is a great time to spotlight LGBTQIA+ musicians and the impact their art, experiences, and ideas have on the classical music world. Classical Queery, hosted by YourClassical’s Mya Temanson, illustrates how classical music can uplift queer voices and how queer experiences can transform the classical music scene.

This week’s question, “Why should you care?” is answered by Martha Mockus (she/her) and Sonia Mantell (she/her).

Mockus is a former scholar of queer, feminist, and music studies and plays both the piano and the Javanese gamelan. She holds a Ph.D in Comparative Studies in Discourse and Society and is currently a department administrator for the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Minnesota. Mockus is also the author of Sounding Out: Lesbian Musicality and Pauline Oliveros.
Mantell has been a cellist with the Minnesota Orchestra since 2020 and before that was a member of Lyric Opera of Chicago. She studied at the New England Conservatory and the DePaul School of Music (scroll down in this post to watch and listen to a performance by Mantell).
Click on the player above to hear Mockus’ and Mantell’s responses to this week’s question, and explore further with the audio below.
Programming is supported by Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
Additional queeries for the curious listener:
Martha, why is it important that we’re having this conversation?
Sonia, why is queer joy important in a classical music setting?
Martha, what happens to classical music when we start asking these kinds of questions?
Music by Sonia Mantell
Marc Migó Sonata for violoncello and piano “Cerdanyenca”:
Sonia Mantell, cello; Anna Keiserman, piano
Check back in next week for the final installment of Classical Queery. Kimberly Waigwa, artistic director of One Voice Mixed Chorus, talks about the importance of intersectionality and the power of community. Members of One Voice Mixed Chorus join.
Love the music?
Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.
Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.
YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.