Rebecca Clarke's chamber music and songs have long been overlooked despite her impressive credentials as a composer and virtuoso violist. Born in 1886, Clarke studied with renowned composers such as Stanford and Vaughan Williams, becoming one of the first professional female orchestral players in London before relocating to the US.
However, it wasn't until recent years that her work has gained the recognition it deserves. A recent Wigmore Hall concert showcased a carefully curated selection of her compositions, including spirited chamber music and songs that have proven fertile ground for today's performers.
The programme featured a mix of Clarke's youthful compositions alongside works from her most productive period in the 1920s. The event was punctuated by several standout performances, with Ailish Tynan delivering a soaring soprano rendition of "Three Irish Country Songs" accompanied by violinist Max Baillie on violin.
Kitty Whately's fresh and fiery mezzo-soprano brought out the best in Clarke's songs, including the haunting "The Seal Man", which was performed in a new arrangement for voice, piano, and viola. The event also featured Nicholas Phan delivering a nuanced performance of early German songs, bringing an understated sensuality to the stage.
Despite not every composition on the programme being entirely polished, the overall hit rate was remarkably high, with many performances showcasing Clarke's mastery of melody and her ability to craft music that is both timeless and thought-provoking.
However, it wasn't until recent years that her work has gained the recognition it deserves. A recent Wigmore Hall concert showcased a carefully curated selection of her compositions, including spirited chamber music and songs that have proven fertile ground for today's performers.
The programme featured a mix of Clarke's youthful compositions alongside works from her most productive period in the 1920s. The event was punctuated by several standout performances, with Ailish Tynan delivering a soaring soprano rendition of "Three Irish Country Songs" accompanied by violinist Max Baillie on violin.
Kitty Whately's fresh and fiery mezzo-soprano brought out the best in Clarke's songs, including the haunting "The Seal Man", which was performed in a new arrangement for voice, piano, and viola. The event also featured Nicholas Phan delivering a nuanced performance of early German songs, bringing an understated sensuality to the stage.
Despite not every composition on the programme being entirely polished, the overall hit rate was remarkably high, with many performances showcasing Clarke's mastery of melody and her ability to craft music that is both timeless and thought-provoking.
Rebecca Clarke's music has been sleeping under the radar for SO long! I mean, come on, she was studying with Stanford and Vaughan Williams like 100 years ago and still managed to create some seriously dope stuff! Her chamber music is like nothing I've heard before - it's all so intricate and emotional... I need more of this in my life! 
And can we talk about the performers? Ailish Tynan is a total boss on that soprano range 
, Kitty Whately's mezzo-soprano is giving me LIFE 
, and Max Baillie's violin skills are insane... who knew?! 
I'm kinda obsessed with this whole thing now. Get ready for some serious music discovery vibes!
Finally, Rebecca Clarke's music is getting the recognition she so rightfully deserves! It's about time, tbh. I mean, she was a total trailblazer for women in music back in the day. And now, we get to enjoy her amazing compositions on stage again. That Wigmore Hall concert was lit 
, especially with Ailish Tynan's vocals blowing me away! The way Kitty Whately brought out the emotions in those songs was pure magic 
. It just goes to show that some music is timeless and will always stand the test of time 
.
... really glad to see Rebecca Clarke's work getting more love. She was a total trailblazer for women in music, and it's awesome to see her stuff being performed by talented artists like Ailish Tynan and Kitty Whately. The arrangements of her songs were so cool too - I loved the new viola setup for "The Seal Man". It's amazing how some pieces can still sound fresh and thought-provoking after all these years 
. I'm so glad we're finally seeing more of Clarke's music, her stuff is like a masterclass in melody and songcraft. 10/10 would recommend checking out her work! 
I mean, it's crazy how long her stuff has been slept on 
Ailish Tynan's voice is giving me chills every time and Kitty Whately's energy is infectious 
. Can we get more of this kind of thing happening? Like, a whole series on Clara Schumann or maybe even some lesser-known female composers?! 
I'm so stoked about Rebecca Clarke's chamber music getting some much-needed love! It's amazing how it took years for her talent to be recognized, but now we get to enjoy her beautiful compositions 
. The Wigmore Hall concert was incredible - the way Ailish Tynan and Kitty Whately sang those songs was pure magic 
! And can we talk about Nicholas Phan's performance? Understated sensuality on stage is everything 
. Let's keep spreading the word about this talented composer and her mesmerizing works 
. Ailish Tynan's performance of "Three Irish Country Songs" was INSANE!! 
, cant wait to hear more about her music!!! 
. It's amazing to see how her compositions are still resonating with performers today, and the recent Wigmore Hall concert was a testament to that 
it's amazing how some composers can transcend time, like clarke. her songs feel so timeless 
and the performances were all top notch 
and she was amazing! But let's not pretend like Clarke's songs were written for modern singers or anything. The fact that they can be paired with contemporary violinists and pianists just shows how versatile her music is.
gotta give it up for Rebecca Clarke tho she's been flying under the radar for far too long! 
I mean, can you believe a female composer from 1886 was already killing it with Stanford & Vaughan Williams? 
And now her work is finally getting the recognition it deserves 
. Can we get more women composers in the spotlight? 
.
but overall, a fantastic concert! 