Dr Leah Broad's book Quartet tells the story of four women composers who have received little or no attention by the classical music world. The lives of Ethyl Smyth, Dorothy Howell, Rebecca Clarke and Doreen Carwithen span the 20th century and yet their music was, until a few years ago, relatively unheard of. Quartet - a substantial history of four women's compositional lives - explains why.
Following publication, Leah Broad and violinist Fenella Humphreys have joined forces with pianist Nicola Eimer, mounting a series of concerts across the country where curious audience members can hear not only the music but selected stories about the women who wrote it.
There were two things apparent from the event I attended - the first in the trio's UK tour in Harrogate earlier in the summer. The carefully selected music works in performance (so much so that the programmed movements played made me want to hear the works in their entirety) AND the briefest of introductions works wonders at focussing the listener, enhancing the experience as a result.
Leah, Fenella and I met up to discuss the book, the concerts and the impact good storytelling has on the concert experience. Lost Voices is at Snape on 9th August, and Milton Court Concert Hall, Barbican on 5 November.
Works included in the Lost Voices programme:
Ethel Smyth Sonata
Doreen Carwithen Sonata
Rebecca Clarke Midsummer Moon
Rebecca Clarke Sonata Movement
Dorothy Howell Andante
Dorothy Howell The Moorings
Fenella Humphrey's next album Prism including works by Caroline Shaw, Sarah Lianne Lewis and Cheryl Frances-Hoad is released by Rubicon Classics early 2024.
