As International Women’s Day approaches, this week sees the return of Finding A Voice, the Clonmel-based concert series dedicated to music composed by women. Now in its fourth year, Finding A Voice has programmed music from the twelfth century to newly-commissioned works, celebrating the breadth of creativity of women across the ages.
This year’s series – themed “it’s about time” – is online, and organisers hope to bring in new audiences with a programme that mixes old and new. Soprano Elizabeth Hilliard with pianist David Bremner, perform Rhona Clarke’s song-cycle ‘The End of Day’ alongside songs by Nadia Boulanger and Augusta Holmès; Ellen Jansson gives a complete performance of Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel’s epic piano work ‘Das Jahr’ [The Year], in what may be its Irish premiere; and there are live improvised sounds ‘in the moment’ from pianist Izumi Kimura and violinist Cora Venus Lunny. Another great figure of the 19th century, singer, composer and teacher Pauline Viardot (born 200 years ago in 1821), will be celebrated with a recital of songs and readings from her letters and diaries, given by actor Aideen Wylde, soprano Kelley Lonergan, and pianist Gabriela Mayer. As well, there are recitals by percussionist (and 2018 PlecPick) Alex Petcu, the baroque duo of Claire Duff (violin) and Malcolm Proud (harpsichord), and time-travellers Marja Gaynor (fiddle), David Power (uilleann pipes), and John Walsh (guitar).
Ambitious, eclectic, and experimental, Finding A Voice streams live from 5-8 March. For more details, and booking information, see: findingavoice.ie