Rebecca Clarke's chamber music and songs have finally been given the recognition they deserve, and it's easy to see why.
Born in 1886, Clarke was a trailblazer for female composers. She studied with Stanford, collaborated with Vaughan Williams, and became one of the first professional female orchestral players in London before relocating to the US. Despite a decline in output, her music remains consistently spirited and inspiring.
A recent Wigmore Hall concert showcased the best of Clarke's oeuvre, pairing youthful compositions with works from her most prolific period, the 1920s. Soprano Ailish Tynan shone in settings that suggested Vaughan Williams' influence, while mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately brought a fresh, flaming voice to Chinese poetry-inspired songs.
Tenor Nicholas Phan lent his bright lyricism and expressive stillness to early German songs, while Anna Tilbrook guided the audience through Clarke's masterly viola sonata. The highlight of the evening came with "The Seal Man," a John Masefield setting performed in a new arrangement for voice, piano, and viola. Whately was spellbinding as the young woman drawn to her death by a mysterious figure from out of the sea.
Tynan, meanwhile, proved an unyielding competitor with her delicate, witty, and idiomatic take on Clarke's "Three Irish Country Songs." The only minor misstep came in one or two lesser-known pieces, but overall, the concert hit a remarkable 90% of its mark.
Born in 1886, Clarke was a trailblazer for female composers. She studied with Stanford, collaborated with Vaughan Williams, and became one of the first professional female orchestral players in London before relocating to the US. Despite a decline in output, her music remains consistently spirited and inspiring.
A recent Wigmore Hall concert showcased the best of Clarke's oeuvre, pairing youthful compositions with works from her most prolific period, the 1920s. Soprano Ailish Tynan shone in settings that suggested Vaughan Williams' influence, while mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately brought a fresh, flaming voice to Chinese poetry-inspired songs.
Tenor Nicholas Phan lent his bright lyricism and expressive stillness to early German songs, while Anna Tilbrook guided the audience through Clarke's masterly viola sonata. The highlight of the evening came with "The Seal Man," a John Masefield setting performed in a new arrangement for voice, piano, and viola. Whately was spellbinding as the young woman drawn to her death by a mysterious figure from out of the sea.
Tynan, meanwhile, proved an unyielding competitor with her delicate, witty, and idiomatic take on Clarke's "Three Irish Country Songs." The only minor misstep came in one or two lesser-known pieces, but overall, the concert hit a remarkable 90% of its mark.
Rebecca Clarke's music is like a breath of fresh air - it's amazing how some composers' legacy can still elevate the arts after all these years! 
I'm so hyped about Rebecca Clarke getting the recognition she deserves! She was literally a trailblazer for female composers back in the day 
. I mean, can you believe she collaborated with Vaughan Williams? That's some serious musical magic right there 
. And I love how they paired up younger pieces with older ones - it showed just how versatile her work was. The soprano Ailish Tynan's performance in "Three Irish Country Songs" was EVERYTHING 
, and Kitty Whately brought such a unique energy to those Chinese poetry-inspired songs 
. And can we talk about Anna Tilbrook's viola sonata? Perfection 
!
. Rebecca Clarke's music is like that – it speaks directly to our souls and stirs us with its beauty 
. I love how the recent concert at Wigmore Hall showcased her vibrant compositions from different periods 
. It's amazing how her music still inspires us today, even decades after she wrote it 
. And the performances by Ailish Tynan and Kitty Whately? Absolutely stunning! They brought Clarke's songs to life in a way that will leave you breathless 
The music world is still stuck in the 19th century 
It's about time, but it's not like anyone else has been waiting around for centuries to discover the genius of women who wrote music back then. I mean, what took them so long? 
The concert was good, I guess. The soprano was decent and all, but let's be real, most people aren't going to remember anything from a 100-year-old concert 
. And the fact that they had to rely on old arrangements is just sad 
. Anna Tilbrook as the viola sonata guide was perfection 
. And that "Seal Man" piece with Kitty Whately? 
still gives me goosebumps! Maybe not perfect but who cares when the overall vibe is 90% magic 
I'm so stoked to see Rebecca Clarke getting the recognition she deserved! She was like a true trailblazer for women in music back in the day 
. And that final piece "The Seal Man" was... *chef's kiss* 
I mean, can we get more of this?! 
I'm glad to see Rebecca Clarke's music getting the love it deserves after all these years 
The arrangement of "The Seal Man" was also really clever - loved how they mixed things up a bit 
My only quibble is that some of the lesser-known pieces did feel a bit like filler