François Joubert-Caillet and L’Achéron excel in Marais’s fifth book of viol music; Mitchell’s diverse Violin Conversations is full of riches; and William Byrd is everywhere on Radio 3
Madeleine Mitchell. Photo: Daniel Ross
Violinist and director of the London Chamber Ensemble Madeleine Mitchell put together an eclectic range of works written over the past 100 years by British female composers. The concert was designed to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March, although I find these works stand on their own merit without needing a banner of justification. It is an enormous help when the performances are as honed as these – which in the Covid situation is nothing short of miraculous.
The concert, live streamed from St John’s Smith Square, began with the fluid and romantic language of Rebecca Clarke’s Piano Trio – eloquent but perhaps a little old-fashioned for 1921. The differing characters in the music were well defined, and the balance impressive. Cellist Joseph Spooner and Madeleine Mitchell were both particularly expressive in the Andante, Sophia Rahman bringing much nuance to the piano writing. Other highlights of the concert included th
Recorded at St Johnâs Smith Square, London, and available to stream
Madeleine Mitchellâs laudable programme marking International Womenâs Day featured committed performances in a fascinating collection of works
Madeleine Mitchell. Photograph: Daniel Ross
Madeleine Mitchell. Photograph: Daniel Ross
FloraWillson
Tue 9 Mar 2021 07.20 EST
Last modified on Tue 9 Mar 2021 07.22 EST
International Womenâs Day was first celebrated in 1911 â if celebrated is the word for an event calling for womenâs rights to vote and work, and to end discrimination. Now, 110 years later, it remains an annual fixture: a spur to debate, awareness-raising, frustration and fury. The world has changed radically since 1911. But if the ever-energetic violinist and British music advocate Madeleine Mitchell had programmed a concert simply called A Century of Music by British Composers, would you have assumed youâd find women in the lineup? (And how often are programmes of musi