Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Composer

Madeleine Mitchell (violin), Joseph Spooner (cello), Sophia Rahman (piano – Clarke, Wallen, Grime, Hoad) and Ian Pace (piano – Musgrave, Grace Williams), David Aspin (viola), Gordon Mackay (violin), Lynda Houghton (double bass), Peter Cigleris (clarinet & bass clarinet), Nancy Ruffer (flute), Alec Harmon (oboe), Bruce Nockles (trumpet) On International Women’s Day violinist Madeleine Mitchell has put together a fantastic range of music celebrating some of the finest British female composers of the past 100 years with the London Chamber Ensemble which she founded and directs. The concert includes one of Grace Williams’ rarely performed large chamber work of 1934, recorded by them for Naxos: “Passionate and persuasive advocacy… a powerful musical personality, well served by some gripping interpretations. More please.” (Gramophone), works by Master of the Queen’s Music Judith Weir and the world premiere of a new violin piece for Mitchell by Errollyn Wallen, supported by the RVW Trust. Rebecca Clarke’s romantic piano trio of 1921, the birth year of Ruth Gipps (BBC Radio 3 Composer of the Week March 2021), is juxtaposed with Helen Grime’s Miniatures of 2005, performed by her former Royal College of Music oboe teacher, John Anderson’s former student. The powerful Colloquy of 1960 by nonagenarian Thea Musgrave, winner of the 2020 South Bank Sky Arts Award, contrasts with the searing lyricism of Cheryl-Frances Hoad’s short piece of 1999. This concert will be available to view from 8pm on Monday 8th March through to 8pm on Thursday 8th April 2021.