Acknowledgements

A generation and more of music scholars have transformed our understanding of female composers, and made it possible for this book to be written. I am particularly grateful to Suzanne Cusick, Sophie Fuller, Beth Glixon, Anya Holland-Barry, Julia Lajta-Novak, Buford Norman, Caroline Potter and Fiorella Sassanelli for taking the time to share their expert knowledge. Others, from beyond the music world, including Jonathan Gibson, Clare Morgan and Rosamund Bartlett, have been equally generous. Hearing the performances of, and in many cases, talking with practising musicians and composers has been the most exciting part of writing this book: my warm thanks to Din Ghani, the Albany Trio, C.N. Lester, Nicolette Moonen and, especially, the composer Nicola LeFanu who has provided a unique insight into her mother’s life and work. It goes without saying that whilst I have drawn heavily throughout this book on the work of others, any errors are entirely my own.

My research has taken me to some very special places, from the Villa Medici in Rome to the Schumannhaus in Leipzig. Many visits were made all the more special by knowledgeable guides, amongst them Denis Demoulin, Directeur des Affaires Culturelles at Les Maisonnettes in Gargenville, and the charming woman at the Mendelssohn-Remise in Berlin, whose fluent English saved me much embarrassment. I thank the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, Vienna, and the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, for the opportunity to consult their collections. Closer to home, Elizabeth Boardman (then archivist at St Hilda’s College, Oxford) made the task of looking through the Maconchy archive a pleasure, whilst the librarians at the Music Faculty Library at Oxford answered all my questions with patience, and, what is more, opened up new vistas through their expert advice. Zappi’s Bike Café provided another home from home: thanks to Dan and the team for the coffee and bara brith (served at the same time). And, still in Oxford, words cannot express my appreciation of the skill and kindness of Mr Rana Sayeed, Dr Colin Forfar and all the staff of the Heart Centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital, where the first draft of this book was actually completed. Together, they ensured the survival of its dedicatee. My last and best thanks go to my friends and my family, however far flung you may be. Again and again you demonstrate your belief in me and my work and, even more importantly, you make me smile.

The continuing and glorious adventures of my daughters, Becca and Elise Roberts, inspire me to seek out the words to tell the stories of remarkable women. Keep going, my lovelies – the world is all before you! This book is, however, dedicated to Roger Harvey, without whom . . .