A Masterclass of Spirit and Elegance: Rebecca Clarke's Chamber Music Soars at the Wigmore Hall
This season's musical offerings have celebrated the triumphs of female composers who have been long overlooked, and Rebecca Clarke is among them. A trailblazing cellist and composer, born in 1886, Clarke defied conventions as one of the first professional women to play with a British orchestra, working closely with the renowned Vaughan Williams.
Clarke's legacy was rediscovered after a period of relative quiet in her native United States, but her chamber music has proven remarkably resilient. The Wigmore Hall's recent programme, part of a Clarke study day, showcased a diverse range of her compositions, from early German songs to the iconic 1920s works that have captivated modern audiences.
Soprano Ailish Tynan stole the show with her captivating rendition of Three Irish Country Songs, bringing wit and an unmistakable charm to the proceedings. Mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately also excelled in a new arrangement of Clarke's song 'The Seal Man', accompanied by pianist Anna Tilbrook on violin. Meanwhile, baritone Ashley Riches delivered a memorable performance of Yeats' Down by the Salley Gardens, with tenor Nicholas Phan delivering an understated yet captivating rendition of early German songs.
The evening was guided masterfully by cellist Max Baillie, who plumbed the depths of Clarke's virtuosic viola sonata with unbridled enthusiasm. Anna Tilbrook's authoritative guidance kept the pace steady and assured throughout, even if not every composition reached its full potential.
Tynan ultimately stole the show once more in a scintillating performance of Three Irish Country Songs, showcasing her peerless technique and idiomatic flair. Her voice shone like a beacon, infusing Clarke's chamber music with a sense of elegance and refinement that was nothing short of captivating.
This season's musical offerings have celebrated the triumphs of female composers who have been long overlooked, and Rebecca Clarke is among them. A trailblazing cellist and composer, born in 1886, Clarke defied conventions as one of the first professional women to play with a British orchestra, working closely with the renowned Vaughan Williams.
Clarke's legacy was rediscovered after a period of relative quiet in her native United States, but her chamber music has proven remarkably resilient. The Wigmore Hall's recent programme, part of a Clarke study day, showcased a diverse range of her compositions, from early German songs to the iconic 1920s works that have captivated modern audiences.
Soprano Ailish Tynan stole the show with her captivating rendition of Three Irish Country Songs, bringing wit and an unmistakable charm to the proceedings. Mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately also excelled in a new arrangement of Clarke's song 'The Seal Man', accompanied by pianist Anna Tilbrook on violin. Meanwhile, baritone Ashley Riches delivered a memorable performance of Yeats' Down by the Salley Gardens, with tenor Nicholas Phan delivering an understated yet captivating rendition of early German songs.
The evening was guided masterfully by cellist Max Baillie, who plumbed the depths of Clarke's virtuosic viola sonata with unbridled enthusiasm. Anna Tilbrook's authoritative guidance kept the pace steady and assured throughout, even if not every composition reached its full potential.
Tynan ultimately stole the show once more in a scintillating performance of Three Irish Country Songs, showcasing her peerless technique and idiomatic flair. Her voice shone like a beacon, infusing Clarke's chamber music with a sense of elegance and refinement that was nothing short of captivating.
I'm so glad they're finally giving Rebecca Clarke the recognition she deserves. I mean, who knew she was a cellist/composer extraordinaire? 
I've been listening to her stuff online and it's literally beautiful. The way Tynan performed Three Irish Country Songs had me singing along... er, not literally because I'm tone deaf 
. But seriously, the whole evening felt so elegant and refined, like a summer's day in the English countryside. Has anyone else checked out Clarke's music before?
Just when you think classical music can't get more beautiful, Rebecca Clarke's Chamber Music comes along & slays 
Those vocalists tho 
Ailish Tynan is EVERYTHING 
it's easy to get caught up in the technical aspects of her compositions but the way tynan and whately conveyed that vulnerability and longing in those songs was just sublime 
also, i loved how max baillie didn't hold back on the expressiveness – his enthusiasm for clarke's viola sonata was infectious! 
And Kitty Whately's arrangement of 'The Seal Man' was so beautiful, it had me feeling all the feels 
Max Baillie's performance on the viola sonata was also totally mind-blowing - his energy was infectious! 
What really stood out to me though was how these musicians brought this music back to life in a way that felt both deeply personal and universally relatable 
I think it's so important that we're rediscovering women like Rebecca Clarke, who paved the way for future generations of female composers 
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. Everyone's always talking about how amazing the performers are, but what about the venue itself? The Wigmore Hall sounds like it's been around forever, no offense to its rich history and all that jazz... but have you seen the website? It's a mess! 
At least make it easier to buy tickets without breaking the bank, you know? 
. Can't they just stick to vinyl records or something? I mean, what's wrong with the real thing? We're living in a world where we can relive history and experience art through technology, but it seems like everyone wants to put their own spin on things 
. Give me something with a little more grit and authenticity anytime! 
max baillie was amazing too btw, can't wait to see more of his performances 
Like how climate change is still ravaging our planet or how many wildfires are happening every year... anyway, I guess Rebecca Clarke was a trailblazer and all that, but let's not forget about the real heroes: scientists fighting against the clock to save humanity 
that performance of three irish country songs was pure magic 
i loved how she infused clarkes music with her own charm & wit too 
. Meanwhile, the actual Clarke compositions are where it's at – her music just speaks for itself without needing all the extra bells and whistles 
!
Ailish Tynan's voice is give me LIFE, I mean what more can you ask for? elegance refinement and a whole lotta spirit 
... I just wish some of the other pieces had been more fleshed out, but overall, it was a really beautiful evening of music 
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. I don't know much about viola sonatas, but Max Baillie did a fantastic job with that piece 
. Overall, just a wonderful evening of music, and I'm so glad Rebecca Clarke's chamber music is getting some love again