On Saturday 17th January 2026, the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra will present an evening of exceptional music by pioneering female composers under the baton of guest conductor, James Thomas.
Soloist: Mishka Rushdie Momen
Outstanding pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen will be our soloist in Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor.
Mishka enjoys a varied career as a soloist, performing an impressively wide repertoire with recent and upcoming concerto highlights including debuts with Royal Danish Opera and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Mishka is also active as a chamber musician, working with prestigious soloists such as Angela Hewitt and Joshua Bell.
Clara Schumann
Remarkably, Clara Schumann began composing her only piano concerto at the age of thirteen.
This fascinating piece is full of youthful energy. It is also innovative in its linking of the three movements and in the inclusion of a beautiful duet between the piano and cello in the slow movement.
Schumann was a child prodigy who became a highly respected concert pianist and composer. Her career lasted sixty years.
‘Proud Thames’
Opening the concert is Elizabeth Maconchy’s tone poem, ‘Proud Thames’. It’s a terrific piece, economically written and capturing the majesty of the river together with its mysterious swirling depths.
Also in the first half is Ethel Smyth’s exquisite ‘Two Interlinked French Folk Melodies’. Smyth was a groundbreaking composer and member of the women’s suffrage movement whose career defied the societal norms of the time.
Florence Price’s Symphony No.1
The concert will conclude with Florence Price’s Symphony No.1 in E minor. This bold and exciting work combines the traditions of classical music with the sound of spirituals and West African rhythm and dance.
In 1953, Price became the first black female composer to have her work performed by a major orchestra after the work won a national competition. It was first performed in her home city by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Book now
The evening begins at 7.15pm and the orchestra is delighted to be supporting The Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Trust, Middleton Bursary Scheme at all its concerts this season.
The scheme provides financial support to young musicians facing challenging circumstances. Sponsorship from Wightlink is invaluable in helping the orchestra maintain the high quality of their concerts from year to year.
Book your tickets through the Medina Theatre website.
News shared by Gareth on behalf of Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra. Ed
