Live recordings made by the Concertzender, from concerts throughout the Netherlands
Women with backbone
This episode of Concertzender Live will feature two concerts. On 24 February 2024 we recorded a concert in Brussels by trio Trio Spilliaert. The trio derives its name and its original inspiration from painter Léon Spilliaer. These young, talented musicians studied at the ‘Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel’: pianist Gauvain de Morant, violinist Jean-Samuel Bez and cellist Guillaume Lagravière.
Led by cellist Guy Danel, pianist Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden, and violinist Véronique Bogaerts, Trio Spilliaert has dedicated itself to exploring the vast repertoire of the piano trio since its formation; from Haydn to Hosokawa, from Beethoven to Fafchamps.
The trio performs pieces by a Belgian composer during each of their concerts.
This approach allows for the rediscovery of numerous hidden gems, contributions from both renowned and lesser-known composers who composed for piano trio, such as the works of Franck, Jongen, Ysaÿe, Pâque…
Trio Spilliaert performed a concert for Concertzender live at Atelier Marcel Hastir, a remarkable venue in Brussels. Hastir was a renowned painter, theosophist, and resistance fighter. He lived at 51 Handelsstraat in Brussels from 1935 until his death 76 years later. 1935 was the year he established his studio there, which from the outset also served as a concert hall for young musicians. His studio also played a roll in the resistance during World War 2. Marcel Hastir has two awards from Académie Royal de Belgique, one for music and one for painting.
The second part of this program will finish a closing concert by the students of the Prins Claus Conservatoire in Groningen. Some 300 students from over 30 countries study at the conservatory, and there are some 130 teachers. On 28 June 2023 they performed a concert in front of an incredibly enthusiastic crowd at the Nieuwe Kerk in Utrecht, accompanied by their mentors. Some of the youngest musicians are only 15 years old.
In this introduction, we’ll highlight two composers presented by the students: Rebecca Clarke and Amy Beach. We do so simply because they were women, and female composers during their time – the 19th and 20th centuries – were a phenomenon. Men such as Antonin Dvorák were under the impression that women weren’t able to compose ‘real works’. Sure, they might be able to compose songs or short pieces, but a whole symphony? Inconceivable.
Rebecca Clarke’s breakthrough came after she entered an anonymous composition contest. The jury and audience were stunned to discover that such a captivating piece, her submission, was composed by… a woman! Amy Beach had tremendous talent, and she was definitely a woman with backbone. After the premiere of her Gaelic Symphony in 1894, she quickly gained international recognition as one of America’s foremost composers.
It demonstrates, well, let’s call it innovation, that the students at the music conservatory of Groningen showcase both excellent and even groundbreaking composers during their end-of-year concert. Their achievement is impressive, in terms of musicality and diversity and their choice of works shows courage. As Concertzender, we strongly sympathize with emerging talent, providing them with a platform.
Playlist:
- Concert Trio Spilliaert, Atelier Marcel Hastir, Brussels (B)
Nicolas Bacri (°1961)
Trio no. 7, 09’06”
César Franck (1822-1890)
Trio Op. 1 no. 1, 30’43”
Alex De Taeye 1898-1952)
Aubade à l’aimée, 02’38”
Performed by: Trio Spillaert: Gauvain de Morant (piano), Jean-Samuel Bez (violin) and Guillaume Lagravière (cello)
- Closing concert Music conservatory Groningen
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1909-1847)
String octet in E flat major, Op. 20, 1, Allegro moderato con fuoco, 10’00”
Béla Bartók (1881-1945)
Romanian Folk Dances 1 to 7, 08’10”
César Franck (1822-1890)
Sonata for cello and piano, 2: Allegro, 09’13”
Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957)
String sextet in D, Op. 10, 1: Moderato allegro, 11’15”
Antonin Dvorák (1841-1904)
Piano quartet no. 2 in E flat, op. 87, 4: Finale of Allegro, 07’40”
Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979)
Viola sonata, 1: Impetuoso, 08’19”
Amy Beach (1867-1944)
Romance in A. Op. 23, 06’40”
Sergei Rachmaninov
Cello sonata in G, op. 19, 3, Andante.
Performed by:
Renata Dzihasova, Yukiki Hasegawa, Joe Puglia, Pieter van Loenen, Christophe Weidemann, Lotus de Vries, Amparo Lacruz, Corine ‘t Hoen, Luna van Leeuwen, Jorian van Nee, Matthijs Broersma, Martijn Willers, Nata Tsvereli, Floor le Coultre, Francien Schatborn, Becca Marr, Maria Oosterbaan, Vera Backer, Mirjanne Horlings, AZitana Fernandezz Herrero, Joshua Hassler-Forest, Irina Osetskaya, Evy Hamers, Tlamatini Cruz, Michelle Kumara, Alix Rodenburg, Mudre Buckute
