● Musique est une femme

Fundacja TAK Temat Aktualny Kultura (PL)

Noordstarfonds vzw (BE), Molyvos International Music Festival (EL) Vidzemes Koncertzale (LV)

State of the art

‘I once believed that I possessed creative talent, but I have given up this idea; a woman must not desire to compose — there has never yet been one able to do it. Should I expect to be the one?’ This dramatic statement by Clara WieckSchumann - is as tragic as it is false, since it expresses, an opinion that has existed for ages, despite the fact that a dozen excellent female composers who did indeed create valuable musical works preceded it.

Description of the project

Because women composer’s works were never circulated widely enough, they unfairly fell into oblivion. Musique est une femme intends to change this by focusing on the promotion of music composed by women before WWII. The project also reflects on the absence of their works in concert programmes as well as on stereotypes about women’s abilities to compose. MEF will contribute to highlight the richness of women’s legacy in the history of European music, especially created at times where women’s rights were disregarded. It will focus on reaching a wider audience for these works via engaging activities such as a video competitions and flash mobs. It will foster the interest of cultural organisers in programming concerts with historical music composed by women and consolidate their digital presence.

We contribute to closing the gender gap by promoting the works of women and showing their potential as fresh inspirations for concert programmes.

Creative Europe’s support

Thanks to Creative Europe’s support, the project managed to organise an international exchange of concert programmes with music composed by women before WWII. The support received also increased the visibility of short video competitions on the topic of stereotypes surrounding women composers.

#music #female composers #music by women #cultural heritage #visibility

Herstory

Tekla Bądarzewska, Amy Beach, Hildegarde Von Bingen, Rebecca Clarke… these are just a few of the many women composers presented in the short videos submitted during the video competition organised by Musique est une femme.

Contact

TAK Fundation – Fundation TAK website. (fundacjatak.pl) Creative Europe Project Results