The ipê is considered Brazil’s national tree, and its flower carries very special symbolism: because it blooms during the dry season, after the tree has completely lost its leaves, the ipê flower symbolises resilience, hope, and the beauty of perseverance.
The symbolism of this flower in its variety of colours - yellow, pink, purple and white - also speaks to me about Brazilian women: we flourish despite challenging times. And, like the ipê tree which blossoms some of the most delicate and ephemeral flowers whilst having some of the deepest roots and hardest woods, we carry strength beneath apparent fragile beauty.
In this programme, I wanted to take us on a journey through the beautiful and strong music of Brazilian women composers. Works by contemporary composers invite us to immerse ourselves in the listening itself, through images of landscapes, dreams and imagination. The music of our iconic historical composer Francisca Gonzaga (1847 - 1935) connects the dots in this experience.
She was a pianist, conductor, abolitionist, and one of the first professional women composers in Brazil. From her vast oeuvre, I selected lyrical waltzes dedicated to women who had special places in her life - her niece Heloísa, her friend Ismênia, and a sweet young lady called Maria.
If the ipê flower symbolises resilience, hope, renewal, and radiant visibility, this concert embodies that symbolism through music from different generations, aesthetics, and geographies, rooted in tradition, though boldly innovative.
Thank you so much for joining me in such special musical experience, which I hope can be also transformative in a way that is unique to each one of us.
Thursday 26 March 2026
7.30pm
at the 1901 Arts Club
Presented by Poliphonia & Donne Women in Music
#piano #womencomposers #brazilianmusic
Luiz Santos
João
Késia Decoté
Andi Chorley
dipankar