Sofia Kirwan-Baez (voice & piano) presents an intimate evening at the 1901 Arts Club, featuring some of French song’s most luscious hidden gems, ranging from Nadia Boulanger to Barbara. Peppered by the composers’ fascinating biographies, the recital will also feature songs by Sofia (also a songwriter) who will be presenting her own musical responses (in English) to the texts featured in the recital.
Doors/bar open 6.30pm for 7.30pm start
Stay afterwards and meet the artist and mingle with other music lovers
A little bit about our composers:
Among her 1200 students, Nadia Boulanger taught the likes of Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, Michel Legrand, Astor Piazzola and Quincy Jones. Her compositions and pedagogy permeated most of the Western musical landscapes of the 20th century.
Nicknamed “my little Mozart” by Georges Bizet, Cécile Chaminade wrote over 400 pieces, of which 200 are piano pieces. A fantastic song composer, she was the first woman to be made Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur in 1913, a historical moment for the validation of professional female musicians.
Nadia’s sister, Lili Boulanger won the famed Prix de Rome in 1918, also the first one granted to a woman. Her song cycle Clairières dans le Ciel (1918) is a prime example of expressionist French music at the turn of the century.
Singer-songwriter Barbara’s career, spanning over four decades and stemming from the vibrant Parisian cabaret scene, has inspired French songwriters to this day. Her music played a huge role in painting a picture of post-war France. Her life story is a tumultuous one, and is reflected in her songs’ imaginative poetry.
What do all these wonderful people have in common? Their incredible music. Not to be missed.
Housed in a converted schoolmaster’s residence just a few minutes walk from Waterloo Station, the 1901 Arts Club is an intimate, convivial chamber music venue whose ethos, ambiance and decor is inspired by Europe’s ninteenth-century Salon culture
Music salon at the 1901 Arts Club
