• 01 JUN 2026 - Review - Classical Music Sentinel - Jean-Yves Duperron - She reveals the core essence of each piece
LADIES FIRST - Various Composers - Rachel Kolly (Violin) - Pallavi Mahidhara (Piano) - 0650414232193 - Released: June 2026 - Indesens Calliope IC108
Amanda Röntgen-Maier (1853-1894): Violin Sonata in B minor (1878)
Mel Bonis (1858-1937): Pièce No. 2, Allegretto non troppo, Op. 84 (1910)
Clara Schumann (1819-1896): Three Romances for Violin and Piano, Op. 22 (1855)
Amy Beach (1867-1944): Romance for Violin and Piano, Op. 23 (1893)
Dora Pejacevic (1885-1923): Violin Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor "Slavic", Op. 42 (1919)
Nadia Boulanger (1887-1979): Soleils couchants (1905) - (Arr. for Violin and Piano by Rachel Kolly)
Lili Boulanger (1893-1918):
- Nocturne (1911)
- Cortège (1914)
Rebecca Clarke (1867-1944): Midsummer Moon (1926)
A carefully curated and finely tuned collection of neglected works for Violin and Piano spanning the late 19th century and early 20th century, all written by women composers, hence the 'Ladies First' album title. From the prominent figure of Clara Schumann to the rarely performed Mel Bonis, variety is the pivotal factor on this new CD.
The disc opens with the romantically charged Violin Sonata in B minor by Swedish composer and violinist Amanda Röntgen-Maier, a work that definitely deserves more public attention than it receives. The charming Pièce No. 2 by the French composer Mel (Mélanie) Bonis, flows along in a fluid forward momentum typical of French composers. She apparently had changed her name to Mel in order to fool music publishers in believing she was a man, since women composers were frowned upon at the time.
Turns out my favorite piece on this album is the sad yet sweet Nocturne by Lili Boulanger, the first woman to win the prestigious Prix de Rome at the age of 19. There's a simple beauty to its melody that pulls you right in. Closing the program is the highly expressive Midsummer Moon by British composer Rebecca Clarke. A touch of modern impressionism runs through her music.
Regardless of style or character, Swiss violinist Rachel Kolly reveals the core essence of each piece. Her radiant and singing playing, even within technically challenging passages, never fails to convey the expressive aspects of the music at hand. A hallmark of true and committed musicianship.