La belle époque

In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, women composers were more likely to present their works in salons than in concert halls. Many of their compositions have therefore slipped into oblivion. Fortunately, they are currently being rediscovered. We are lucky with the younger musicians and ensembles who are increasingly choosing their pieces outside the mainstream repertoire. A relief!

The musicians of the Volkmann Trio, who started playing together as students at The Hague’s conservatory, champion piano trios by three French women composers. Cécile Chaminade and Germaine Tailleferre received some attention in their time. Mel Bonis, admired by César Franck, led a shadowy existence, in which she nevertheless composed many pieces.

Valentina Tóth is also active as an actress and gives the wonderful piano trios a theatrical context with texts of her own, which take us back to Paris during the belle époque.