Illuminate Women’s Music

This International Women’s Day at the Stoller Hall, Illuminate Women’s Music. This project celebrates the creativity of women as both composers and performers, with a focus on showcasing new works by early career female composers alongside historical works.

The Illuminate concert series also seeks to highlight the talent and diversity of women in classical music, presenting a blend of both contemporary and historical compositions. International Women’s Day at the Stoller Hall.

This particular concert features violinist Maja Hovat and pianist Joseph Havlat, who will perform works by a varied group of composers, including Grazyna Bacewicz, Isabella Ellis, Laure Chan, Lili Boulanger, Tonia Ko, Hollie Harding, and Illuminate’s Artistic Director, Angela Elizabeth Slater.

The programme offers a compelling showcase of the thriving creativity that is happening in Britain today despite the arts sector’s current struggles. The concert plans to demonstrate the strength and quality of output from composers from a wide diverse set of backgrounds and all walks of life. The music is said to take listeners on a journey from dream worlds and visual arts, through characterful and vivid voices. Lili Boulanger and Grazyna Bacewicz works will be featured as part of the latter. As well as the diverse soundworlds of Tonia Ko, Hollie Harding, and Laurie Chan. 

Touching on Chan’s work Insanity, you will be brought face to face with Laurie’s reflection of the pandemic, illustrating the emotional turmoil, chaos and frustration we all felt during that time. Listeners will also be blessed with the deep and detailed exploration of sound and ant virtuosity in Ko’s Tribute, Axis II – the piece explores the concept of horizontal motion across the surface of one string.

Despite the challenges currently facing the arts sector, this concert showcases the strength and richness of Britain’s contemporary music scene, with each piece a testament to the thriving creativity and passion of female composers today.