Until late in the 20th century, the History of composers in classical music has been the History of male composers. Women had been actively discouraged, or even barred from pursuing careers writing music, which was inherently thought to be something only men could, and should, do. Society at large stifled women. Being a female composer or performer was seen as a highly questionable profession, often by their own families. Gustav Mahler made it a condition of marriage to his young bride, Alma, that she give up composing. The Father of Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn supported very much the career of his son but stated that for Fanny music should be an ornament in life and never a serious profession.
However despite all these obstacles, women persisted in writing music, and currently there is a growing curiosity emerging between musicians and musicologists concerning their work. Now we are trying to turn the tide: to rediscover the lost talents, uncover the forgotten music and give a compelling and inspiring voice to the composers stifled in life or neglected in death. We must celebrate these artists as the innovative, unorthodox, irreverent, passionate, daring and resilient people they were.
If composing was already greatly discouraged, a woman composing music for large ensembles as symphonic orchestras and choirs was unthinkable. This explains why the majority of pieces written by women in the 19th century are solo piano pieces, chamber music and songs. This is why we dedicate an entire program to their songs.
The program begins with Romantic Lied from two renowned 19th century composers, Fanny Mendelssohn and Clara Schumann. Their ties with Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann gave these two authors a particularly unusual visibility that many other female composers were not fortunate to have. Their work is central in the context of the 19th German Lied. The songs we chose to present are inspired on the poetry of great german authors who worked very close to Clara and Fanny like Goethe, Emanuel Geibel and Henirich Heine.
We will travel to the New World to discover the music of Amy Beach and then Florence Price, the first celebrated African-American composer whose music, written in the early twentieth century, is a fusion between classical tradition and the melodies of folk music and spiritual songs. Florence Price worked very close with the well known poet and social activist Langston Hughes, who is the author of the songs we will perform. Still on the border between classical and popular traditions we could not forget the Brazilian national heroine, Chiquinha Gonzaga.
After that, two surprising 20th century classical composers are introduced, Lili Boulanger and Isabelle Aboulker, this second one still our contemporary. Still in the context of French music, other styles are explored and we will dive into the world of the great french "Chanson" performing iconical pieces of singers Barbara and Edith Piaf.
The variety of styles, historical contexts, sung languages and geographical origins gives this program an eclectic and original character. In addition, and because we present composers quite unknown to the public, each author's life and work will be presented shortly, making this recital an educational and interactive experience for the public.
80 minutes for a world tour
Voice&Piano Staged recital
80 minutes for a world tour in music: Will they make it..!?
This crazy recital is a wacky journey, a race against the clock to discover the music and songs of our beautiful planet. Concert with staging: fasten your seat belts and off on the adventure!
Songs, improvisations, traditional songs and solo piano pieces and composers from around the world.
Music of great composers such as: Claude Debussy, Joaquim Rodrigo, W. A. Mozart, Alabiev, Chopin, John Lennon, Cesária Évora e Chiquinha Gonzaga.
Contact us to get more detailed information about this program.
Night, Nature & Nostalgia
Recital for voice & piano
In poetry, the night often evokes meditation, nostalgia and a moment spent dreaming in nature which faithfully reflects our emotions.
In this program, mainly of French music, going from the XVIIth to the XXth century, we explore through composers such as Rameau, Debussy, Fauré, Poulenc, but also artists like Barbara, Mancini or Kosma, the setting in music in their songs of the theme of Night, Nature and Nostalgia.
Songs and solo piano songs from: Rameau, Debussy, Fauré, Poulenc, Fanny Mendelssohn, Florence Price, Mancini, Kosma, Barbara, Edith Piaf.