Join host Stefania Passamonte as she welcomes Italian pianist Mariangela Vaccatello to the Future Classical Woman Awards podcast. Mariangela shares her remarkable journey as an emerging classical artist, from winning the prestigious Liszt Competition at just 17 years old to becoming a finalist at the WankerLeiborn competition and topping the World Competition in Norway. Currently in London following performances in Oxford and a BBC Radio 3 appearance, she discusses her formative years studying at the Royal Academy of Music and her experiences performing in the UK’s most prestigious concert halls.
Throughout the conversation, Mariangela opens up about her deep connection to London and the British classical music scene, revealing her love for the intimate Wigmore Hall and the stunning Bridgewater Hall with its magnificent organ. She compares European and American audiences, reflecting on the warm reception she received at her Oxford recital. The episode features discussion of her recorded complete works of Alberto Ginastera, which earned critical acclaim from Gramophone magazine’s renowned reviewer Bryce Morrison.
The interview delves into what it truly means to be a classical musician in today’s world and the unique challenges facing female concert artists. Mariangela thoughtfully explores how classical music remains beautiful and accessible to contemporary audiences, sharing her passion for introducing friends to masterpieces like Rachmaninoff’s symphonies. She addresses the historical underrepresentation of women composers and performers, from Anna Magdalena Bach to Clara Schumann, while expressing optimism about progress and the importance of building strong support networks to navigate the demands of a professional music career.
Main Topics
Mariangela Vaccatello is an award-winning Italian pianist who won the Liszt Competition at age 17 and has achieved significant success in international competitions
She studied her postgraduate degree at the Royal Academy of Music in London and remained there for an additional fellowship year, earning the prestigious Ogsdon Fellowship
Her favorite UK concert venues include the intimate and warm Wigmore Hall and the spectacular Bridgewater Hall with its prominent blue-lit organ
Mariangela has recorded the complete piano works of Alberto Ginastera, receiving critical acclaim from Gramophone magazine for her interpretation of Tres Danzas Argentinas
She emphasizes that classical music is not unfashionable but rather timeless and beautiful, comparable to emotional pop songs in its ability to move listeners
The discussion explores ongoing challenges for female classical musicians and composers, highlighting historical figures like Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn who paved the way
Mariangela advocates for building strong support networks and maintaining strength in pursuing classical music careers while balancing personal life responsibilities
Full TranscriptHello and welcome to Future Classical Woman Awards with me, Stefania Passamonte on Women's Radio station, the program wh...▼
Hello and welcome to Future Classical Woman Awards with me, Stefania Passamonte on Women's Radio station, the program where we search for the most amazing new female artist of the classical panorama. Today on Future Classical Woman Awards, we'll be talking to Mariangela Vaccatello. She's an Italian pianist who won the most amazing competition starting with the Liszt competition of Hootrecht when she was just 17. And she has been finalist at the WankerLeiborn competition in America, one of the most coveted competitions for pianists in the world. And she actually won at the top of the world competition in Norway. Mariangela is in London because she just came from a concert she made in Oxford and she has been just interviewed by BBC Registry for the Intune program. I advise you to check her out. She's playing live there today. We're going to listen to some of her latest recordings and we're going to talk more about that. So welcome Mariangela. Hello everyone and thank you for the invitation. I'm very proud and happy to be here with Stefania Passamonte at the women radio station. You're very welcome. So do you want to tell us a little bit what's your connection with London? Well, of course I love London. It's a wonderful city. I was very happy to study my postgraduate at the Royal Academy of music in 2007 have been two years, very intense. I got a lot of companion, a lot of partner, musical partner, a lot of competition and engagement and also I got the fellowship, the Ogsdon Fellowship that allowed me to stay one more year in this beautiful city and travel and doing also some teaching at the Royal Academy. I was. Well, I then came back to Italy. Went back to Italy and now I am here for the Oxford recital and exciting program at the BBC. Yeah, exciting. I did listen to it. It was really amazing. Your live performance of Ginastera. So an amazing international career. You play in the most amazing concert hall Worthwhile. What do you think is your favorite concert hall in the UK where you. Well, I played several times at the Wigmore hall and I think it's a very intimate and warm hall. The stage is beautiful and so it's always a great honor and also great excitement when you enter there. So I can say for now that is the best. But I always was at the Terence Judd Final Award few years ago and I like very much the Bridgewater Hall. I think that is also a wonderful hall. There is also a big organ, very much shine with their light and it was very exciting too. Yeah, the Organ. The organ, yes, on the stage was predominant and it was very cool to see all the light blue and, I don't know, violet looking from the organ to the public. Excited? Absolutely. So what do you think about the British audience? Is there any difference between the British audience and, I don't know, the French, the Italian, in your experience? Well, in my experience I can say that I like European audience in general and I feel that we, in a way, we all have a kind of background that we understand each other instead. I also have toured many times, United States and of course they are also very warm. I can just say about my last experience in Oxfordshire yesterday evening, I can say I felt like a stadium even. Even if the hall is a new center of art is quite small. But the audience was amazing, very calm and totally attentive. What I was playing and really the applauses and the feeling at the end of the performance was in the stadium, so really amazing, actually. So what was your favorite piece from yesterday program? So what I liked a lot and also what the public appreciated were the Tres Dancers Argentinas by Alberto Ginestera especially my favorite are the second one and the third one. They are Dancer of the Lonely and Sad Girl and the last one is Dancer of the Gaucho Matero. Actually it was one of the early compositions by Alberto Gyna Stera and totally inspired to the Pampa to His Land. Actually, I recorded a couple of years ago the complete music by Alberto Gyna Stera and actually I had a lot of success with this compilation. Bryce Morrison made a wonderful review of my Gynasterra complete piano works on the Gramophone magazine. So I'm really flattered with it. Wonderful. So why don't we listen to it? Welcome to women's radio station, the voice of women worldwide. So I do glitter for a living. Coming up next on women's radio station wrs. Women's radio station. Hey, this is Jessie and I'm a life architect. So what has made you say effort in rage or effort? Enjoy this week. I love listening to women's radio whilst driving in my car, my sport and me. Listen online on your smartphone and on your computer. If you wanted to find out a little bit more, do go to our website, womensradiostation.com Spice Mountain brings a touch of the exotic, offering a dazzling range of spices, herbs and chilies alongside our specialty handmade spice blends which make it so easy to create wonderful and memorable meals. From basics like salt and pepper to a Japanese katsu curry or a Malaysian rendang. You'll find it in the Aladdin Cave of Spice. You can find us at www.spicemountain.co.uk at the Women's Radio station hi, I'm Vivian Arts, President of Women in Banking and Finance. Are you a woman working in the financial services sector in the uk? If you are not already a member then you are missing out on a fantastic network which has been inspiring women for 40 years. We are a not for profit organization empowering women to network, learn and inspire each other at every stage of their career. Through our highly sought after events. We aim to improve diversity by working closely with government leaders and firms through our UK branches. Find out more at www.wibf.org uk and join a network to transform your career. Do you dream of a wedding on the beach or maybe in the middle of vineyards? Imagine your wedding in Italy, the land of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo getting married in Italy in a venue that is magical and has natural beauty. Amoretti weddings create unforgettable moments. What you had to do is just relax and watch us make your wedding a real fairy tale. Contact us now for a free consultation. Www.amoretti.co.uk hi, I'm Ekaterina Brekhova, Head of Conference Production City and Financial Global and I want to tell you about our vote 100 Women in Business Summit at the Royal Garden Hotel on 17th of April. Opened by Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex, it will be a great day full of useful content and amazing networking opportunities. To book for this fantastic event please go to our website www.ctnfinancial.com or you can find us on womensradiostation.com at New Square Tutors we believe that matching a student with the right tutor is half the battle. We help students from preschool to adult to gain confidence and a love of learning. Whether it's working towards an exam or hoping to build confidence, we're here to help. Our tutors cover a range of subjects as well as all major school exams and university entry. Lessons are tailored to the students individual needs to ensure the best learning experience. For more information visit www.newsquaretutors.com or check out the Women's Radio Station website. Hi, my name is Sahael Mirza, author, writer and speaker. I'm here to tell you about my new book, Many Mansions which has just been published on Amazon, which outlines my journey from the depths of despair and a crisis of meaning to one of fruitful faith and the light within. You can find details of the book on Amazon which describes it as a hot new release and I'd love to hear from you on my website which is www.spiritual-survolution.com. at distinctively me we are passionate about making clothes that complement any body shape through our made to measure tailored pieces. Distinctively Me SM Modern elegant clothes are made in our London studio from the highest quality fabrics and will create the perfect outfit for any woman. Our trousers, skirts and jackets are modern yet timeless and can be worn season after season. Visit us@distinctivelyme.com to be amazed at our service and prices. Distinctively me discover the pleasure of made to measure the Australian Women's Club is a vibrant, active club of Australians living within London and its surrounds. The club runs 10 regular activities including art history, theatre, film, bridge, choir, foodies and many more including large events such as our iconic Melbourne cup and Australia Day celebrations. Should you wish to join this very friendly and positive club, please view our website Australian Women's Club London or contact us via email membershipawclondon.org.uk or go to the Women's Radio Station website. Thank you. Women's Radio Station is a not for profit community interest company. Supporting women is our passion. We're currently welcoming donations to help towards our running costs to keep this important initiative alive. To donate simply head to our website. Every little will help. Welcome back to future Classical Woman Awards on Women's Radio Station, the program where we search for the most amazing new female artist on the classical panorama. So our guest today is Mariangela Vacatello, an amazing Italian pianist who trained the Royal Academy of Music and was here actually to record a show on BBC Radio 3 that we really loved in tune. So Mariangela, what does it mean for you to be a classical musician today? Well, may I laugh a little? Well, it's a very difficult question actually. Thank you Ms. Passamonti. And well, of course we need to be brave and very, very strong and of course we are in interpreter of music that has been also ancient from Bach from before bach to the 19th century. We had all the romanticism, so our repertoire is wide and we have to understand other cultures and other centuries. But I don't think that classical music is unusually, is unfashionable and whatever. I mean it's beautiful melodies, beautiful rhythm, beautiful style and I mean I would hear classical music all the time and I would suggest my friends actually when I was at the primary school I already loved classical music and many of my friends didn't know anything about so I asked them to ask to listen to the second movement of the second Rachmaninoff Symphonies. And actually after two days they say, oh, this is so beautiful. This is so romantic. I mean, it's nothing less than a pop song. Pop love song, actually. So I love it and I think we need more. Absolutely, I agree with you. And what is it to be a female concert artist today? This is another very difficult question. Thank you. Even if we have a lot of situation, a lot of women in the past, starting from Anna Magdalena Bach, Fanny Mendelssohn, then the great Clara Schumann, that started also concertizing a lot. Still a lot of women are not known. Who knows for probably there are many reasons for that. But sometimes it's still difficult. Nowadays, you mean Nowadays, yes. It's still difficult for composition. You know, composer, woman and also performer. There are many, many, probably many problems. And maybe it's very complicated question, political question and a social question. And we cannot have only one answer. What I think is that of course we have much more than in the past. So this is already a great achievement. And we have to keep strong and go on. Because at some point they will be similar to other gender or to other. More equality. Yes, exactly. In a normal way, of course. We are also women, so we can have child and we can be mom, friends, wife. We also know that for women is always requested something more from life. So everyone is asking for more. So maybe we really need to be strong and to find good companions, good friends, good lovers. It will be easier. Exactly. Welcome to Women's Radio Station. The voice of women worldwide. Hungry. An average woman eats about 2 to 3 kilos of lipstick in her lifetime. Women's radio Station, we want to hear from you. This is Women's Radio Station. You're listening to Avril Price with Kitchen Sink Spirituality. It's Anna Kennedy talking all things autism. And my guest today is Karen Nunn. I listen to Women's radio station Women. The possibilities are endless. That's what makes us different. Do you experience skin irritation, unpleasant odor or feel insecure worrying about possible leaks during menstruation? 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Visit us ntassociates.com or on Twitter ntassociates. Today's giveaway will be two VIP theatre tickets to the productions playing at the wonderful Jermyn Street Theatre located just off Piccadilly in London's West End. It's free to enter and all the details are on our website www.womensradiostation.com. hollywood Babes is a unique ladies wear boutique situated in Thorpe Broadway in South End on sea. We carefully select all our lines and offer you only the very best in women's clothing. Here at Hollywood Babes we ensure you look and feel the part. Whether it is for a special occasion or loungewear. We can help you find that special something to make you feel a million dollars. So pop on down to Hollywood Babes, Thorpe Broadway, Essex and get ready to be styled at New Square. Tutors we believe that matching a student with the right tutor is half the battle. We help students from preschool to adult to gain confidence and a love of learning. Whether it's working towards an exam or hoping to build confidence, we're here to help. Our tutors cover a range of subjects as well as all major school exams and university entry lessons are tailored to the students individual needs to ensure the best learning experience. For more information visit www.newsquaretutors.com or check out the Women's Radio Station website. Women's Radio Station is passionate about communication and we'd love any thoughts and feedback on our programs. Email presenterswomensradiostation.com if there's a topic you'd like to hear about or want to contact your favorite presenter, do get in touch. WRS Women's Radio Station Voice of Women Worldwide Storybox Impro the kids Art and Impro show for ages 4 to 11 years. The kids show where the audience get a show and their own special art creation. Now taking bookings for parties and weddings tailored especially for your special occasion. All you need is your imagination. Visit storyboxinfo.com or visit womensradiostation.com now would you say that your music comes first or would Be at the moment, do you think in a moment in your life there could be something more important than that, do you think at the moment or in general? I think about you, yes. So, for example, you know, the music that accompanied this, this show is from Clara Schumann. And it's in two moments. It's from her. Debate. Debate in going on with Brahms or not. You know, being a mother, being a widow, being, you know, with someone that was much younger than him. So is this a problem that you think is still quite strong on the female artists of today? The fact of having to conciliate their private life with the concert, the stage life, or in the modern era? Now this is, you know, we managed to overcome the problem, if you know what I mean. Well, I have a lot of friends who have had a baby, for example, and just on backstory stage, before entering the second half, they were with their child breastfeeding. Yes. So can be also exciting. I don't know. I think it depends of each woman. You know, it's like you choose many things in your life and this is also what you choose if you want a career, if you want both, if you prefer to have a mix. Because some people like to be with their family, like to stay a little bit in the secrets, a little bit in the shadow. So it's really dependent what you want. I think if you want something, you can achieve that and you can be strong enough to. To do everything. You mean. Because, you know, at the time with Clara Schumann, there were not that many concert artists even, you know, starting from the sister of Mod's art. She wasn't supposed to tour because her job would have been one day to become a wife, to become, you know, and stay home. Yes, but this is also a social problematic. And of course, the life of everyone and also of the composer is going together. What happened in the social life of everyone. So I think now we are a little bit more normalizing in a way so that people can choose what to do. And as you say, the sister of Mozart, nanny. And Nanner. Nanner, sorry. And so in the case of Clara Schumann has been very, very much complicated because we don't have to forget also that she had a lot of babies. 7. Many of them also died early. So in a way, women in that century were more habit with suffering also. And to be stronger because if your child is dying, of course it's not a nice, nice thing, but they were more habits. So in a way she went on in their career finding money to keep herself. Robert human when he was sick, ill and the other children. So in a way we are more concentrate on exactly what we want. Even with children we want to in a way to decide everything in advance. I see. So probably we should think what we are happy to do and do it. Yes, why not? Okay. So do you have any piece that represent this feeling that you have? You know, for a strong woman when you play there is anything that represents you most. For example, one of the most loved composer one of the two is Franz Liszt. So I can feel very close the 12th transcendentalitude. I love this opera and especially the Chasnaij, the Mazeppa and also the number two. Very inspired to Paganini style. So very virtuousistic. And this is definitely one of the part that respect that is similar to me. Oh yeah. Why don't we listen to number two then? Foreign. Welcome to women's radio station, the voice of women worldwide. So I do glitter for a living. Coming up next on women's radio station wrs. Women's radio station. Hey, this is Jessie and I'm a life architect. So what has made you say effort in rage or effort fit? Enjoy this week. I love listening to women's radio whilst driving in my car, my sport and me. Listen online on your smartphone and on your computer. If you wanted to find out a little bit more, do go to our website womensradiostation.com Spice Mountain brings a touch of the exotic, offering a dazzling range of spices, herbs and chilies alongside our specialty handmade spice blends which make it so easy to create wonderful and memorable meals. From basics like salt and pepper to a Japanese katsu curry or a Malaysian rendang, you'll find it in the Aladdin's cave of spice. You can find us at www.spicemountain.co.uk at TheWomens Radio station. Hi, I'm Vivian Arts, President of Women in Banking and Finance. Are you a woman working in the financial services sector in the uk? If you are not, if you are not already a member then you are missing out on a fantastic network which has been inspiring women for 40 years. We are a not for profit organization empowering women to network, learn and inspire each other at every stage of their career. Through our highly sought after events, we aim to improve diversity by working closely with government leaders and firms through our UK branches. Find out more at www.wibf.org uk and join a network to transform your career. Do you dream of a wedding on the beach or maybe in the middle of a vineyard? Imagine your wedding in Italy, the land of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo getting married in Italy. In a venue that is magical and has natural beauty, Amoretti Weddings creates unforgettable moments. What you had to do is just relax and watch us make your wedding a real fairy tale. Contact us now for a free consultation. Www.www.amoretti.co.uk hi, I'm Ekaterina Brekhova, Head of Conference Production City and Financial Global and I want to tell you about our vote 100 Women in Business Summit at the Royal Garden Hotel on 17th of April. Opened by Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex. It will be a great day full of useful content and amazing networking opportunities. To book for this fantastic event, please go to our website www.ctnfinancial.com or you can find us on womensradiostation.com at New Square Tutors we believe that matching a student with the right tutor is half the battle. We help students from preschool to adult to gain confidence and a love of learning. Whether it's working towards an exam or hoping to build confidence, we're here to help. Our tutors cover a range of subjects as well as all major school exams and university entry. Lessons are tailored to the students individual needs to ensure the best learning experience. For more information visit www.newsquaretutors.com or check out the Women's Radio Station website. Hi, my name is Sahail Mirza, author, writer and speaker. I'm here to tell you about my new book Many Mansions which has just been published on Amazon which outlines my journey from the depths of despair and a crisis of meaning to one of fruitful faith and the light within. You can find details of the book on Amazon which describes it as a hot new release and I'd love to hear from you on my website which is www.spiritual-survolution.com at distinctively me we are passionate about making clothes that complement any body shape through our made to measure tailored pieces. Distinctively Me's smart and elegant clothes are made in our London studio from the highest quality fabrics and will create the perfect outfit for any woman. Our trousers, skirts and jackets are modern yet timeless and can be worn season after season. Visit us@distinctivelyme.com to be amazed at our service and prices. Distinctively me discover the pleasure of me to measure the Australian Women's Club is a vibrant, active club of Australians living within London and its surrounds. The club runs 10 regular activities including art, history, theatre, film, bridge, choir, foodies and many more including large events such as our iconic Melbourne cup and Australia Day celebrations. Should you Wish to join this very friendly and positive club. Please view our website Australian Women's Club London or contact us via email membershipwclondon.org.uk or go to the Women's Radio Station website. Thank you. Women's Radio Station is a not for profit community interest company. Supporting women is our passion. We're currently welcoming donations to help towards our running costs to keep this important initiative alive. To donate simply head to our website. Every little will help. Welcome back to future Classical Woman Awards on Women's Radio Station, the program where we search for the most amazing new female artist on the classical panorama. So Mariangela, what would you say was the worst moment or the most challenging moment in your career? Well, I can remember a couple of moments. Probably the first one was when I was teenager. You know, everything changed in your life and you are not always used to stay hours and hours practicing to prepare competition. So probably that has been a little difficult moment for me because you really have to decide I want to do this job and to know what does it means actually. So probably this was a little complicated but of course I discovered that I really liked what I was doing, playing and everything. So it was good to go on for me. And probably the other moment was after the competition when I decide after the top of the world to stop competition, I had to realize again to put on stage what I really wanted again from my life, from my career. What was the meaning instead of competition, the meaning of practicing, meaning of discovering new repertoire, discover myself as a performer. So what would you say was the most exciting moment in your career? Well, basically every time I go on stage because I'm always very excited, I like it and I'm still very nervous even if I play since more than 20 years. But I remember when I was a little child at 7, my mom said oh, why are always so nervous? Come on, there's nothing going on stage. So I still remember this till now. So yeah, it's not true, nothing happens. Love and hate is always going the same moment. I know that. So what would you say now the funny one, what was the most embarrassing moment if you had any in your career? Well, in 20 years definitely I've had a lot of fun moments including Photoshop in general and they are very, very cool moment actually because you study to play piano, to perform and you, you feel like a model in a way. So this is cool. Especially after Weijn Kleiben we had the big chance to work with Stephen Eastwood Links the photographer. Also that my first list recording as the COVID me pulling the piano. I loved doing that photo. It was really great and I really felt like a top model. It was great actually. But I can also say that there are. There have been couple of embarrassing moment either and I don't know if. Can I say something but you know, when people expect you to, they promise you things in exchange of something. So because we are in a woman radio station, I feel like I can say that absolutely. And yes, this happened also in the classical music. Not only pop music, off with actors, something like the MeToo movement. Yes, exactly. Yes. So yeah, I was at the Grammys recently and I expected there would be something like the Emmys awards with the MeToo movement. And funny enough, last minute no one did anything. So I went dressed in black and there were no one dressed in black. They just decided to go for a white rose. They didn't tell anyone. So the white roses were very little. So it was quite disorganized. But yeah, yeah, it's something that. Why do you think? Why sometimes happen? Yeah, why do you think that happened? So of course the classical music world is still a little bit abstract, let's say something like that. But even in this case there are people working inside. So we still a little bit of men dominated all the main things, main societies, promoters or whatever. Some women feel obliged to give some emotion, let's say away, or just to avoid that their careers are gutted. Maybe they are afraid about the repercussions on their life, on their career. So in this sense we still have to work a little more. Absolutely. So what would you think? It would be interesting to play now? Well, I'm always like something strong and energetic, let's say. Yes, why not? For many years I've performed Petrushka by Igor Stravinsky in his own transcriptions. So maybe the dance rules can be a good idea. Okay, let's listen to the dancers by Petrushka. Sa. Today you've been listening to future classical Woman awards on women's radio station. If you wanted to listen to again or catch up on our previous programs, you can head to the presenters page on womensradiostation.com thank you for listening.
