In Conversation with Nicola Boud
Guest interview by Elena Wittkuhn — Mirabilis Collective cellist and creative contributor.
Historically Informed Performance (H.I.P.) clarinettist Nicola Boud sits down with Elena to explore the beauty of variability in performance, her journey from Perth to Europe, and her work on Musica Viva’s H.I.P. concert.
In Conversation with Jennifer Marten-Smith
Guest interview by Elena Wittkuhn — Mirabilis Collective cellist and creative contributor.
In this thoughtful conversation, Elena Wittkuhn speaks with pianist Jennifer Marten-Smith ahead of her Northern Lights national tour with violinist Johan Dalene for Musica Viva. Jennifer reflects on her early musical upbringing, her multifaceted career as soloist, accompanist, and répétiteur, and her approach to practice and collaboration. The interview also explores the upcoming program, featuring works by Lili Boulanger and Jack Frere, and offers a personal glimpse into the artistry behind this exciting national tour.
Uncovering Connie Converse: A Voice the World Almost Missed
Who was Connie Converse, and why does her music still echo so powerfully today? The delicate threads of her life and legacy are traced through the lens of Howard Fishman’s biography, the aching poetry of One by One, and the silence she left behind. It’s a story of loss, rediscovery, and the fragile brilliance of unheard women’s voices.
Women’s Voices Reshape Classical Music: A Closer Look at the 2025 Grammy Awards
2025’s GRAMMY Awards marked a turning point for women in classical music, celebrating artists who are reshaping the genre and amplifying voices long overlooked. This year’s winners—Gabriela Ortiz, Karen Slack, Michelle Cann, Caroline Shaw, Kaija Saariaho, and Elaine Martone—demonstrated that classical music can honour tradition while embracing innovation and contemporary relevance.
From Ortiz’s Revolución Diamantina, a powerful orchestral work inspired by feminist movements in Mexico, to Slack and Cann’s Beyond the Years, which revives the unpublished songs of Florence Price, these projects highlight how classical music continues to evolve. Caroline Shaw and Sō Percussion redefined chamber music with Rectangles and Circumstance, while the late Kaija Saariaho’s Adriana Mater earned a posthumous GRAMMY, cementing her legacy as a visionary composer. Producer Elaine Martone’s historic win further underscored the impact of women behind the scenes, shaping the sound of today’s classical music landscape.
These awards reflect more than individual success—they signal a shift towards a more inclusive, dynamic, and socially engaged future for classical music. Read the full article to explore how these groundbreaking women are redefining the genre for the 21st century.