Visiting professor Natasha Loges: Producing new knowledge is my way of changing the musical world
Professor Natasha Loges, a researcher at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg, visited the Sibelius Academy in February as a part of the ongoing International Visitor Programme in Lied, offering a fresh perspective on the intersection of music, culture, and gender.
Loges identifies herself foremost as a researcher, with a passion for uncovering new knowledge and approaches in music history. As a pianist, she integrates her performance practice with her scholarly work, while as a pedagogue, she seeks to empower her students to think critically and independently.
By focusing on the overlooked figures in music history, promoting a critical examination of gender roles, and inspiring her students to think independently, Loges is leaving an indelible mark on the next generation of musicians.
Expanding the boundaries of musicology
Loges is currently involved in a range of ambitious research projects. One of her most pressing focuses is a biography of the composer, pedagogue and singer Pauline Viardot, a woman whose significant contributions to music history have been overshadowed by narratives about her personal life.
“I want to tell her story in a way that highlights not only her musical genius but also the complexities of her racial identity and the social challenges she faced in a period of intense nationalism.”
Additionally, Loges is editing two books on global women pianists, showcasing figures whose careers have often been overlooked in traditional music scholarship. She is also working on a groundbreaking project on global art song, which focuses on repertoire outside the Western canon. This edited volume explores piano-accompanied song in countries such as Turkey, Malaysia, and sub-Saharan Africa.
“Through these projects, I want to diversify our understanding of global music and challenge the entrenched biases within the classical music world.”
A global perspective on gender and representation
Throughout her career, Loges has been passionate about raising awareness of the gender inequalities that persist particularly in classical music. She encourages students to critically examine the roles of women in music, both in historical and contemporary contexts. One of her interests lies in the lives of professional female musicians in the 20th century, many of whom navigated societal constraints that shaped their careers in profound ways. By analyzing the lives of these women, Loges hopes to shed light on the ways gender influences artistic choices and career trajectories.
Loges also draws attention to the differences in gender equality across cultures, noting that while Finland has made significant strides in creating an egalitarian society, many other countries grapple with gendered power dynamics that impact women’s roles in music.
Loges has had a longstanding relationship with the Sibelius Academy, and her visit was an opportunity to reflect on the similarities and differences between the Academy and her home university in Freiburg.
“Despite the cultural differences between our institutions, students at both universities share a common background of musical literacy and supportive family environments. However, there is still need for further work in creating more inclusive and multicultural environments within classical music education.”
Leaving a legacy: Teaching critical thinking and musical independence
When it comes to the mark she hopes to leave with her students, Loges emphasizes the importance of independent thought.
“I want students to feel empowered to ask difficult questions and not just accept what they are taught. I encourage them to challenge conventional wisdom and to understand how knowledge is constructed, rather than simply accepting facts.”
This approach, Loges believes, is crucial in today’s rapidly changing world, where musicians must be adaptable and open to new ideas. She also emphasizes the importance of fostering an environment where students can explore beyond what is simply taught in class.
“My role as a teacher is also to inspire the students to critically engage with the world around them – both within and outside of the music world. If I can give them the tools to ask, ‘Why do I believe what I believe?’ I have done my job,” she shares,
Through her work, Natasha Loges continues to push the boundaries of music scholarship, advocating for a more inclusive and thoughtful approach to teaching, researching, and performing music.
Stepping out of the academic bubble: knowledge has to be accessible
For Loges, approachability and accessibility of research means things like stepping out of the classrooms to the media, making a podcast or offering affordable research publications.
”I think it’s important to think about the audience: does this person understand what I’m trying to say? I think it benefits my research. It keeps my work grounded. It is also fun talking to a general audience and seeing how they respond, when they laugh, what they care about, what makes them cry. In general, that’s also why we make music.”
For Loges, music is a vehicle for communication: it’s about connecting people and transcending boundaries, whether through performance or scholarly work.
“I believe in the value of articulating complex ideas in accessible ways that resonate with both academic and general audiences”.