by Tera de Marez Oyens
as published in the IAWM Journal, June 1994, pp. 39.
The foundation "Vrouw en Muziek" in Amsterdam organized a series of three concerts in May with works by Russian and Dutch composers. The Russian composers Tamara Ibragimova, Anna Ikramova, Anna Vics and Olga Magidenko were invited to come to Holland and be present at the concerts. They stayed with some of the Dutch musicians and at the Walter Maashuis in Bilthoven (the old Gaudeamus-house). The Dutch composers were Gerda Geertens and José Retra and the performers were Judith Mok, soprano, Marin Mars, violin, and Kees Wieringa, piano. The concerts took place in Amsterdam, Utrecht and Arnhem.
With the exception of Anna Ikramova's Wort for violin solo which was composed in 1982, all the compositions were very new, from 1993. Tamara Ibragimova's Nachts for soprano and piano and In the Garden of my Soul for piano, Gerda Geertens'Sarka for soprano and piano, and José Retra's Inleiding for violin solo were performed. Anna Vics was present with her composition Banja po-tsjrnamoe (The Black Bath-house) and Olga Magidenko with Viovoce, both written for soprano and violin.
It is only possible for the Foundation Vrouw en Muziek to organize such concerts with the help of Governmental subsidies.