For centuries the Stabat Mater, like much of the classical music world has been dominated by male composers. A woman could, or rather was permitted to, lend her voice to sweet melodies, but the realms of composing, conducting, and playing instruments playing were predominantly claimed by men. If a woman ever ventured to put her musical ideas down on paper, it was typically under the
name of a husband or brother.
It’s not surprising, then, that of the 332 composers in our collection on the Ultimate Stabat Mater Website, only 23 are women! However, the last few decades have witnessed a significant and exciting shift in this landscape. You only need to look at our playlist of female composers to see this.
In light of this encouraging trend, we are thrilled to announce the addition of again three remarkable female composers to our Ultimate Stabat Mater Website. These recent compositions span different parts of Europe, each bringing a unique cultural and personal perspective to the Stabat Mater.
From Finland, we welcome Sanna Vähälä, a Finnish music student born in 1974 in Tampere, Finland. Despite her mature age, she has recently embarked on a new career path, currently studying music theory pedagogy and composition. Her main challenge was creating powerful, emotional music with a small ensemble. Vähälä aimed to use modern, non-traditional harmonies while keeping her music accessible to a wide audience. The result is a ‘suitcase’ version as she calls it herself.
Moving southward, we encounter the work of Zuzanna Koziej from Poland. Her composition particularly struck us because Mary’s torment and her sighs become so audible through falling steps and interval leaps. The second movement, Cuius animam gementem, is sung by a solo soprano -as if from a distance- expressing the state of a mother’s soul in pain after losing her son, while the choir’s plaintive exclamations sound in the background.
Completing our journey through Europe, we celebrate the addition of Elisabetta Brusa. Born in Milan, in 1954 and naturalized as a British citizen in February 2018, Elisabetta Brusa began composing at the very young age of 5, creating over 30 piano pieces as well as a string quartet before beginning her Composition studies. Her Stabat Mater is a testament to her ability to intertwine traditional forms with her unique voice, creating a deeply moving and resonant piece.
As we continue to discover and celebrate these works, we invite our audience to explore these new additions to the Stabat Mater canon. Each composition offers a unique window into how contemporary female composers are interpreting and reimagining this timeless theme of maternal grief and compassion.
