Raphaela Gromes: The cellist who puts female composers in the spotlight

Raphaela Gromes: The cellist who puts female composers in the spotlight

The cellistRaphaela Gromeshas specialized in discovering and promoting the repertoire of women composing over the last five years. She is not only active as a musician, but has also written a book on this exciting topic. Gromes, known for her passionate and varied performances, recently collaborated with the German Symphony Orchestra Berlin launched an innovative project under the motto “No concert without a female composer” and thus sends a strong signal for the visibility of women in music.

As part of this collaboration, CD recordings are created that focus on works by female composers whose voices have often been neglected in history. Among the pieces on the program are such important works as thisCello concerto by Marie Jaëll, a contemporary of Gabriel Fauré. Jaëll, born in Steinseltz in 1846, was not only a pianist, but also a prominent composer and teacher who was far ahead of her time. Among other things, she dedicated her cello concerto to the respected cellist Jules Delsart.

A look at women in music

The increased focus on women in music is no coincidence. Historically, many works were by women, such as: B. those ofMary heartand the British composerRebecca Dale, often in the shadow of their male colleagues. Despite the numerous female talents that have played an important role in music creation for centuries, they remained unheard for a long time. The topic has become increasingly important since the 1970s, especially through feminist musicology and the women's movement. The International Working Group for Women and Music was founded in 1979 to promote and make visible these voices.

The CD recordings by Gromes and the German Symphony Orchestra Berlin include not only Marie Jaëll's cello concerto, but also works by Herz and Dale, all of which are considered significant milestones. In addition, the first CD of the double album also features chamber music byEmilie Mayer, a contemporary of Robert Schumann, and declarations of love to the music world such as arrangements of pop hits written byAdeleandP!nk.

A legacy of female composers

Marie Jaëll, whose distinguished career spanned various areas of music, was not only a talented composer but also a visionary educator. She was the first pianist to perform all of Beethoven's piano sonatas in Paris and taught famous students such as Albert Schweitzer. Her unique “Jaëll Method” for learning piano revolutionized the approach to piano techniques and continues to have lasting relevance today. Her numerous compositions, including the opera “Runea,” reflect the romantic style of her time.

The commitment of Raphaela Gromes and the German Symphony Orchestra Berlin contributes to putting the legacy of the composers in the spotlight and building bridges between the past and the present. By including compositions by long-forgotten or undervalued female musicians in the program, it quietly but firmly initiates a rethink in the perception of women in music.

The visibility of women in the music world, long viewed as "interlopers" in a male-dominated industry, has fortunately turned around, showing that there is more to music historical memory than was assumed for many years. Gromes and her colleagues are on the right track to further promote this change. You could say they have a good handle on what will influence the future of music.