Melinda Bargreen is a Seattle-based composer and writer, who was classical music critic of The Seattle Times from 1977 to 2008, and now writes freelance reviews and articles for the Times and for Classical KING FM 98.1, as well as for several national and international publications. Her compositions have won national awards and have been performed from Belgium to China, as well as on PBS.

Listen to Stella splendens on Soundcloud.

A conversation with Melinda Bargreen:

SPM: What inspired you to write Stella splendens?

MB: Back in the 1970s, I was invited to sing a concert of medieval music with the Western Wynde Consort, and was struck by the beauty of the text of the 14th-century song of pilgrimage, “Stella Splendens” (the “splendid star” that lighted the way of the pilgrims). The text stayed with me, and I was later inspired to write new music that would express the rapturous loveliness of the words.

SPM: What's the one thing you'd like an audience member to take away after hearing this piece?

MB: The ability of human voices to create resplendent beauty in a world that so often presents us with discord, and to inspire the listener with hope and solace. We are all on a pilgrimage through our own lives and times. Music can light our way forward.

SPM: What excites you about being included in this concert?

MB: A chance to have one’s music performed by the Seattle Pro Musica and Karen P. Thomas would excite any composer! And I’m in terrific company with this group of eminent and gifted composers who happen to be women.

Website: melindabargreen.com