French Iconoclasts 
What can you do when your gender seems to sabotage your talents? Melanie Bonis chose the somewhat abiguous name Mel before tirelessly claiming her spot, first at conservatory – the only woman there! – and then as a composer. A generation later, we meet Lili Boulanger, another remarkable talent and the first woman to be awarded the Prix de Rome. The short, unconventional pieces of Bonis and Boulanger are like poems, full of atmosphere and subtlety. The Marigolds, of which Ruña and Kalle go way back to the legendary Fancy Fiddlers, complete the programme with Fauré’s second Piano Quintet.  

Marigold Piano Quartet
Ruña ’t Hart – violin 
Connie Pharoah – viola 
Kalle de Bie – cello 
Mengjie Han – piano 

          Picture: Janus van den Eijnden