Trans Europe Express » : composers !
2 February 2025
The Trans Europe Express project (1 November 2024 – 30 April 2026) aims to highlight the contribution of women to contemporary musical composition and to promote gender equality in the European musical landscape, by analysing their position in countries where parity is still an objective to be achieved. It offers young women composers a unique opportunity to develop their skills, create original works and make a name for themselves on the international scene.
The project comprises a series of initiatives, including concerts, masterclasses, workshops for young female composers, commissioned works, conferences, outreach activities, a think tank and an online platform, Trans Europe Express: Transmission and creation by women in Europe.
Since it was founded in 2006, Des Équilibres has always wanted to work internationally, and particularly in Europe. Initially specialising in twentieth-century music, the ensemble’s approach to contemporary creation has been based on a series of encounters, and it has developed a passion for this research work, these constantly renewed universes and the dynamics of working together with composers during their various residencies. Through their many travels, they have also noted the differences in the development of contemporary creation in European countries: the low profile of creation in concert programmes, on the one hand, and the obstacles to the development of careers for performers and composers, on the other. While the subject is now widely addressed in France, the same cannot be said in all European countries, where equal opportunities are still not a given: financial obstacles, cultural biases, etc. A great deal of work remains to be done to achieve this equality. This is how the Trans Europe Express project came into being. In addition to disseminating the works through concerts (eight commissions for creations that will tour the world), it will bring together eight well-known female composers from the four selected countries (Spain, France, Hungary and Malta) with young female student composers during masterclasses, conferences and workshops. Transmission will be the watchword: supporting the careers of female artists by helping them discover the keys to the creative professions and offering them the conditions they need to flourish; making the contemporary creative repertoire known to as many people as possible by simplifying access, in order to shape the audiences of tomorrow. Agnès Pyka, Artistic Director and First Violin of the Ensemble Des Equilibres, and the Zahir group will be organising fourteen performances.
3 TO 9 FEBRUARY 2025: MALTA, LA VALETTE
Programme: Florentine Mulsant, Sonate violon seul n°5, Erno Dohnanyi,
Serenade for string trio op.10, Jean Cras, Trio for violin, viola and cello
cello
Concert: 4 February at 8 pm at the Concert Hall (Malta Society Of Art)
Programme: Florentine Mulsant, Sonate violon seul n°5, Erno Dohnanyi,
Serenade for string trio op.10, Jean Cras, Trio for violin, viola and cello
cello
Concert: 4 February at 8 pm at the Concert Hall (Malta Society Of Art)
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9 MARCH 2025: FRANCE, CHAMPS – SUR – MARNE
Programme: Florentine Mulsant, Sonate violon seul n°5, Erno Dohnanyi,
Serenade for string trio op.10, Jean Cras, Trio for violin, viola and cello
cello, Wolgang Amadeus Mozart, Prelude and Fugue in D minor,
K. 404a, No.1
Concert: 9 March at 5 pm in the Music Room of the Château de Champs – sur – Marne
Programme: Florentine Mulsant, Sonate violon seul n°5, Erno Dohnanyi,
Serenade for string trio op.10, Jean Cras, Trio for violin, viola and cello
cello, Wolgang Amadeus Mozart, Prelude and Fugue in D minor,
K. 404a, No.1
Concert: 9 March at 5 pm in the Music Room of the Château de Champs – sur – Marne
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12 TO 15 MAY 2025: HUNGARY, BUDAPEST
Programme: Piano Trio by Timea Dragony 20ʹ, Trio Concertant
n°2 op. 1 in B flat major by César Franck, Trio n°2 op.76 in B
minor by Joaquin Turina
Concert: 14 May at the Institut Français in Budapest
Programme: Piano Trio by Timea Dragony 20ʹ, Trio Concertant
n°2 op. 1 in B flat major by César Franck, Trio n°2 op.76 in B
minor by Joaquin Turina
Concert: 14 May at the Institut Français in Budapest
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20 TO 23 MAY 2025: SPAIN, MADRID
Programme: String quintet by Marian Marquez, Trio for violin,
violin, viola and cello no.1 op.37 by Conrado Del Campo, Assobio a Jato,
W493, for flute and cello by Heitor Villa-Lobos Duo for violin and viola
and viola in G major, KV 423 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concert: 22 May at the Institut Français in Madrid
Programme: String quintet by Marian Marquez, Trio for violin,
violin, viola and cello no.1 op.37 by Conrado Del Campo, Assobio a Jato,
W493, for flute and cello by Heitor Villa-Lobos Duo for violin and viola
and viola in G major, KV 423 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concert: 22 May at the Institut Français in Madrid
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4 TO 7 JUNE 2025: SPAIN, GIRONA
Programme: Marian Marquez, String quintet, Conrado Del Campo,
Trio for violin, viola and cello No.1 op.37, Heitor Villa-Lobos,
Assobio a Jato, W493, for flute and cello, Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart, Duo for violin and viola in G major, KV 423
Concert: 7 June at l’Escala church
Programme: Marian Marquez, String quintet, Conrado Del Campo,
Trio for violin, viola and cello No.1 op.37, Heitor Villa-Lobos,
Assobio a Jato, W493, for flute and cello, Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart, Duo for violin and viola in G major, KV 423
Concert: 7 June at l’Escala church
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20 TO 21 JUNE 2025: FRANCE, MARSEILLE
Programme: Florentine Mulsant, Sonate n°5 violin solo, Andrea
Szigetvari, String trio, Véronique Vella, String trio
Concert: 21 June at the Musée Cantini
Programme: Florentine Mulsant, Sonate n°5 violin solo, Andrea
Szigetvari, String trio, Véronique Vella, String trio
Concert: 21 June at the Musée Cantini
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18 TO 21 SEPTEMBER 2025: FRANCE, FONT ROMEU
Programme I: Henriette Renié, Andante religioso Henriette Renié, Trio
violin cello harp Claire Mélanie Sinnhuber, Knotweed
Claire Mélanie Sinnhuber, Héliotrope Concert: Date and venue to be confirmed.
Programme II: Anna Malek, Piano quintet Mel Bonis, Sonate pour
violin and piano in E flat major, Op. 64 César Franck, Trio Concertant
Concertant No. 2 Op. 1 in B flat major Concert: Date and venue to be confirmed.
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27 SEPTEMBER 2025: FRANCE, CHAMPS – SUR – MARNE
Programme: Edith Canat de Chizy, Piano Trio César Franck, Trio
Concertant No. 2 op. 1 in B flat major Joaquin Turina , Trio No. 2 op.
76 in B minor
Concert: 27 September at the Salon de musique du Château de Champs – sur – Marne
Programme: Edith Canat de Chizy, Piano Trio César Franck, Trio
Concertant No. 2 op. 1 in B flat major Joaquin Turina , Trio No. 2 op.
76 in B minor
Concert: 27 September at the Salon de musique du Château de Champs – sur – Marne
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30 SEPTEMBER TO 4 OCTOBER 2025: MALTA
Programme: Mariella Cassar Cordina , Piano Trio César Franck ,
Trio Concertant No. 2 op. 1 in B flat major Joaquin Turina, Trio No. 2
op.76 in B minor
Concert: 3 October – Venue to be confirmed
Programme: Mariella Cassar Cordina , Piano Trio César Franck ,
Trio Concertant No. 2 op. 1 in B flat major Joaquin Turina, Trio No. 2
op.76 in B minor
Concert: 3 October – Venue to be confirmed
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26 TO 31 OCTOBER 2025: SPAIN, SEVILLE
Programme: Anna Malek, Piano quintet Timea Dragony, Piano trio
Mariella Cassar Cordina, Piano Trio
Concert: 31 October – Venue to be confirmed
Programme: Anna Malek, Piano quintet Timea Dragony, Piano trio
Mariella Cassar Cordina, Piano Trio
Concert: 31 October – Venue to be confirmed
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2 TO 6 DECEMBER 2025: HUNGARY
Programme: Andrea Szigetvari, String Trio Erno Dohnanyi, Serenade
for string trio op10 Jean Cras, Trio for violin, viola and cello
Concert: Date and venue to be confirmed
Programme: Andrea Szigetvari, String Trio Erno Dohnanyi, Serenade
for string trio op10 Jean Cras, Trio for violin, viola and cello
Concert: Date and venue to be confirmed
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24 TO 31 JANUARY 2026: SPAIN, SEVILLE
Programme I: Véronique Vella, String Trio Andrea Szigetvari, String Trio
strings Marian Marquez, String quintet Concert: 31 January – venue to be confirmed.
Programme II: Véronique Vella, String Trio Extract Andrea
Szigetvari, Extract String Trio Marian Marquez, Extract String Quintet
Quintet
Concert: Date and venue to be confirmed.
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1ST QUARTER 2026: FRANCE, POURRIÈRES
Programme: Andrea Szigetvari, String Trio Erno Dohnanyi, Serenade
for string trio op 10 Jean Cras, Trio for violin, viola and cello
Concert: Date and venue to be confirmed
Programme: Andrea Szigetvari, String Trio Erno Dohnanyi, Serenade
for string trio op 10 Jean Cras, Trio for violin, viola and cello
Concert: Date and venue to be confirmed
COMPOSITION AND INTERPRETATION MASTERCLASS
As part of this project, female composers and performers will be leading masterclasses for students at universities and conservatoires in various countries.
As part of this project, female composers and performers will be leading masterclasses for students at universities and conservatoires in various countries.
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COMPOSITION MASTERCLASS
Eight female composers from the Trans Europe Express project will guide the selected students in the following areas: Composition techniques: basic fundamentals (melody, harmony, rhythm). Musical analysis: study of emblematic works (styles, structures, strategies). Orchestration and arrangement: instrumental writing
and combination of timbres. Musical storytelling: conveying emotions and constructing a musical narrative. Students will then explore contemporary approaches, including digital tools and experimental practices, and will be encouraged to develop a personal style.
Eight female composers from the Trans Europe Express project will guide the selected students in the following areas: Composition techniques: basic fundamentals (melody, harmony, rhythm). Musical analysis: study of emblematic works (styles, structures, strategies). Orchestration and arrangement: instrumental writing
and combination of timbres. Musical storytelling: conveying emotions and constructing a musical narrative. Students will then explore contemporary approaches, including digital tools and experimental practices, and will be encouraged to develop a personal style.
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INSTRUMENTAL MASTERCLASSES
5 AND 6 FEBRUARY 2025 (MALTA)
Composers: Florentine Mulsant, Mariella Cassar Cordina, Andrea
Szigetvari, Véronique Vella Performers: Agnès Pyka (violin); Jean
Sautereau (viola); Éric Villeminey (cello)
5 AND 6 FEBRUARY 2025 (MALTA)
Composers: Florentine Mulsant, Mariella Cassar Cordina, Andrea
Szigetvari, Véronique Vella Performers: Agnès Pyka (violin); Jean
Sautereau (viola); Éric Villeminey (cello)
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23 TO 25 JUNE 2025 (MALTA)
Composers: Marian Marquez, Véronique Vella, Timea Dragony,
Mariella Cassar Cordina Performer: Agnès Pyka (violin)
Composers: Marian Marquez, Véronique Vella, Timea Dragony,
Mariella Cassar Cordina Performer: Agnès Pyka (violin)
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30 SEPTEMBER TO 4 OCTOBER 2025 (MALTA)
Composers: Édith Canat de Chizy, Véronique Vella, Anna Malek,
Mariella Cassar Cordina Performers: Agnès Pyka (violin); Éric
Villeminey (cello); Bálint Baráth (piano)
Composers: Édith Canat de Chizy, Véronique Vella, Anna Malek,
Mariella Cassar Cordina Performers: Agnès Pyka (violin); Éric
Villeminey (cello); Bálint Baráth (piano)
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26 TO 31 OCTOBER 2025 (SPAIN, SEVILLE)
Composers: Timea Dragony, Anna Malek, Mariella Cassar Cordina,
Marian Marquez Performers: Agnès Pyka (violin); Alfonso Rubio (flute)
Bálint Baráth (piano); Pierre Génisson (clarinet); Éric Villeminey
(cello)
Composers: Timea Dragony, Anna Malek, Mariella Cassar Cordina,
Marian Marquez Performers: Agnès Pyka (violin); Alfonso Rubio (flute)
Bálint Baráth (piano); Pierre Génisson (clarinet); Éric Villeminey
(cello)
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24 TO 31 JANUARY 2026 (SPAIN, SEVILLE)
Composers: Marian Marquez, Anna Malek, Andrea Szigetvari,
Véronique Vella Performers: Agnès Pyka (violin); Alfonso Rubio (flute)
Jean Sautereau (viola); Pierre Génisson (clarinet); Javier López
Escalona (cello)
Composers: Marian Marquez, Anna Malek, Andrea Szigetvari,
Véronique Vella Performers: Agnès Pyka (violin); Alfonso Rubio (flute)
Jean Sautereau (viola); Pierre Génisson (clarinet); Javier López
Escalona (cello)
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WORKSHOPS FOR YOUNG FEMALE COMPOSERS
30 SEPTEMBER TO 4 OCTOBER 2025 (MALTA)
Composers present: Édith Canat de Chizy, Véronique Vella, Anna Malek, Mariella Cassar Cordina
Malek, Mariella Cassar Cordina Performers present: Agnès Pyka
(violin) ; Éric Villeminey (cello) ; Balint Barath (piano)
30 SEPTEMBER TO 4 OCTOBER 2025 (MALTA)
Composers present: Édith Canat de Chizy, Véronique Vella, Anna Malek, Mariella Cassar Cordina
Malek, Mariella Cassar Cordina Performers present: Agnès Pyka
(violin) ; Éric Villeminey (cello) ; Balint Barath (piano)
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26 TO 31 OCTOBER 2025 (SPAIN, SEVILLE)
Composers present: Timea Dragony, Anna Malek, Mariella Cassar
Cordina, Marian Marquez Performers present: Agnès Pyka (violin) ;
Alphonso Rubio (flute); Balint Barath (piano); Pierre Génisson
(clarinet); Éric Villeminey (cello)
Composers present: Timea Dragony, Anna Malek, Mariella Cassar
Cordina, Marian Marquez Performers present: Agnès Pyka (violin) ;
Alphonso Rubio (flute); Balint Barath (piano); Pierre Génisson
(clarinet); Éric Villeminey (cello)
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26 TO 31 OCTOBER 2025 (SPAIN, SEVILLE)
Composers present: Marian Marquez, Anna Malek, Andrea
Szigetvari, Véronique Vella Performers present: Agnès Pyka (violin) ;
Alphonso Rubio (flute); Jean Sautereau (viola); Pierre Génisson
(clarinet); Javier Lopez Escalona (cello)
Composers present: Marian Marquez, Anna Malek, Andrea
Szigetvari, Véronique Vella Performers present: Agnès Pyka (violin) ;
Alphonso Rubio (flute); Jean Sautereau (viola); Pierre Génisson
(clarinet); Javier Lopez Escalona (cello)
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COMMISSIONED WORKS
To promote diversity and support female creativity in contemporary music, eight new works will be commissioned from professional female composers.
To promote diversity and support female creativity in contemporary music, eight new works will be commissioned from professional female composers.
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FRANCE
Florentine Mulsant: Sonata for solo violin no. 5
Édith Canat de Chizy: Piano Trio
HUNGARY
Timea Dragony: Piano Trio
Andrea Szigetvari: String Trio
MALTA
Mariella Cassar Cordina: Piano Trio
Veronique Vella: String trio
SPAIN Anna Malek: Piano Quintet
Marian Marquez: Quintet without piano
Florentine Mulsant: Sonata for solo violin no. 5
Édith Canat de Chizy: Piano Trio
HUNGARY
Timea Dragony: Piano Trio
Andrea Szigetvari: String Trio
MALTA
Mariella Cassar Cordina: Piano Trio
Veronique Vella: String trio
SPAIN Anna Malek: Piano Quintet
Marian Marquez: Quintet without piano
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LECTURES
The guest composers will share their artistic approach with the audience, notably by presenting the work created for the TEE project.
The guest composers will share their artistic approach with the audience, notably by presenting the work created for the TEE project.
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OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
To encourage interaction between the public and artists, several outreach activities will be implemented.
To encourage interaction between the public and artists, several outreach activities will be implemented.
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STAGE SIDE
After the concerts, the audience will have the opportunity to discuss the works and programs with the musicians and composers.
After the concerts, the audience will have the opportunity to discuss the works and programs with the musicians and composers.
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PUBLIC REHEARSALS
The public will be invited to attend the musicians’ and composers’ rehearsals, for an immersion into the heart of the contemporary creative process.
The public will be invited to attend the musicians’ and composers’ rehearsals, for an immersion into the heart of the contemporary creative process.
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THINK TANK AND ONLINE PLATFORM
To ensure the project’s sustainability and disseminate its results, a website will be created. This platform will document the entire program and serve as a resource for future initiatives, thus consolidating the project’s long-term impact. In parallel, think tanks will be organized throughout the project to refine its content and direction.
To ensure the project’s sustainability and disseminate its results, a website will be created. This platform will document the entire program and serve as a resource for future initiatives, thus consolidating the project’s long-term impact. In parallel, think tanks will be organized throughout the project to refine its content and direction.
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THE INTERPRETERS
Violin: Agnès Pyka,
Cello: Éric Villeminey, Javier Lopez Escalona Jordan Costard,
Viola: Jean Sautereau,
Piano Balint Barath,
Flute Alphonso Rubio, Claudia Fernandez Alvarez,
Clarinet: Pierre Génisson,
Harp Marcel Cara
Violin: Agnès Pyka,
Cello: Éric Villeminey, Javier Lopez Escalona Jordan Costard,
Viola: Jean Sautereau,
Piano Balint Barath,
Flute Alphonso Rubio, Claudia Fernandez Alvarez,
Clarinet: Pierre Génisson,
Harp Marcel Cara
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ENSEMBLE DES ÉQUILIBRES
Taking alternative paths, escaping labels, and conceiving music as an exchange—these are the goals of this ensemble.
Taking alternative paths, escaping labels, and conceiving music as an exchange—these are the goals of this ensemble.