7

 TRANS EUROPE EXPRESS 

 Transmission and Creation by Women in Europe 

 EDITION 1 

MOTHS

CREATIONS

COMPOSERS

CONCERTS

Participating Countries & Partners

Countries: France, Hungary, Malta, Spain

Institutional Partners: European Union

France: Château de Champs-sur-Marne, Ensemble Des Équilibres, OCP Font Romeu, Opéra au Village
Hungary: Foundation Egy Hangversenyteremért Alapítvány, Institut Français de Hongrie, Budapest
Malta: Din l-Art Helwa, SCAC Malta
Spain: Associació Cultural Pau Casals, Institut Français d’Espagne, Zahir Ensemble

Other Partners: SPEDIDAM, SACEM, CNM, Tax Credits, Fondation Tissier-Grandpierre – Institut de France

Additional Programmers: Musée Cantini (Marseille), Universidad CICUS, Seville, Conservatorio Superior de Música de Aragón, Zaragoza

Through our many travels, we observed significant differences in the development of contemporary creation across European countries: on one hand, a limited presence of contemporary works in concert programs, and on the other, obstacles to career development for performers and composers.

This experience revealed clear disparities in female contemporary creation. While in France the topic is now widely addressed, this is not the case in all European countries, where equal opportunities are still not guaranteed: financial barriers, cultural biases… Much work remains to be done to achieve true equality.

It is from this context that the Trans Europe Express project was born. Beyond presenting works through various concerts (eight commissioned creations circulating worldwide), it connects eight recognized composers from the four selected countries (Spain, France, Hungary, Malta) with young student composers through masterclasses, conferences, and workshops.

Transmission is the guiding principle:

  • Supporting the careers of female artists by revealing the keys to the creative professions and providing conditions for their artistic development;

  • Promoting contemporary repertoire to the widest audience by simplifying access, thereby cultivating the audiences of tomorrow.

 

Agnès Pyka

The Transmission Panel:

Concerts

Composition Masterclass

Performance Masterclass

Workshops for
Young Composers

Conferences

Outreach

Commissioned Works

Think tanks

Mentorship

Distribution
Network

Concerts

Composition Masterclass

Performance Masterclass

Workshops for Young Composers

Conferences

Outreach

Commissioned Works

Think tanks

Mentorship

Distribution
Network

They Already Support Us:

Concert

In the first edition, sixteen performances by the Ensemble Des Équilibres and the Zahir Ensemble take place across four different countries (excluding additional programmers): Malta, Hungary (Budapest), Spain (Madrid, Seville, Girona), France (Champs-sur-Marne, Marseille, Font Romeu, Saint-Maximin), with a program highlighting women in contemporary music composition.

Composition Masterclass

As part of this project, composers and performers lead masterclasses for students at universities and conservatories across different countries. These masterclasses provide an opportunity to explore new musical perspectives through innovative techniques and enriching exchanges.

Eight composers from the Trans Europe Express project guide the selected students through the following areas:

  • Composition Techniques: fundamental basics (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 then explore contemporary approaches, including digital tools and experimental practices, and are encouraged to develop a personal style. Enriching exchanges with musicians present during the sessions are also planned.

Performance Masterclass

As part of this project, composers and performers lead masterclasses for students at universities and conservatories across different countries. These masterclasses provide an opportunity to explore new musical perspectives through innovative techniques and enriching exchanges.

Performers from the Ensemble Des Équilibres (violin, viola, cello, clarinet) and Zahir Ensemble (flute, cello), as well as the Hungarian pianist, address the following areas:

  • Instrumental Technique: posture, gestures, sound control, and precision (articulation, phrasing, dynamics).

  • Musical Interpretation: emotional and narrative depth, respect for style and composer intentions.

  • Expression and Musicality: communicating emotions to the audience.

  • Sight-Reading and Analysis: understanding structures, nuances, and challenges of works.

  • Repertoire Mastery: in-depth study of classical, modern, and contemporary repertoire.

  • Critical Listening: evaluating and integrating diverse approaches.

  • Improvisation and Performance Anxiety Management.

Interaction with other musicians fosters a collaborative learning dynamic.

Workshops for Young Composers

These workshops offer young composers a unique opportunity to develop their skills and assert themselves artistically. In addition to the Masterclasses, short pieces are commissioned for them. They benefit from the guidance of experienced composers and the performance of internationally renowned ensembles.

WORKSHOP CONTENT

  • Introduction and Inspiration

  • Musical Conception and Ideas

  • Composition Techniques

  • Score Writing

  • Personalized Feedback Sessions

  • Finalization of the Work

  • Reading and Practical Application

These workshops promote a supportive environment and intergenerational exchange, allowing young composers to assert themselves artistically while exploring concrete creative processes.

Conferences

The invited composers share their artistic approach with the audience, notably presenting the work created for the TEE project. These conferences also explore the role of contemporary music in the music industry of each country and examine the contribution of women to contemporary composition in these four countries. Analyzing the observed differences helps identify the reasons behind these disparities.

Outreach Activities

To foster interaction between the public and the artists, several outreach activities are implemented:

BACKSTAGE ENCOUNTERS
After the concerts, the audience has the opportunity to engage with the musicians and composers about the performed works and programs. This special moment allows discussion of the contemporary creation and interpretation process, highlighting the career paths and artistic approaches of the composers. These encounters aim to strengthen the connection between the public and the creators, helping to promote the role of women in contemporary music and to cultivate the audience of tomorrow.

PUBLIC REHEARSALS
The public is invited to attend rehearsals of the musicians and composers for an immersive experience at the heart of the contemporary creation process. This experience reveals the adjustments, exchanges, and artistic choices that shape a work before its stage presentation. Spectators gain insight into how musicians interpret both repertoire works and contemporary pieces.

Commissioned Works

To promote diversity and support female creation in contemporary music, eight new works were commissioned from both professional and emerging composers during the first phase of Trans Europe Express.
These commissions were performed by the ensembles participating in the project during the sixteen concerts and will continue to be presented in the various performances of the ensembles’ seasons, thus benefiting from increased European visibility.
New works will be commissioned in Phase 2 [see Competition].

Think tanks

Reflection days (think tanks) are organized throughout the project to refine its content and directions.
Particular attention is given to sustainable development in the performing arts and the organization of eco-friendly tours, notably through the recruitment of a sustainability advisor (green advisor) [see sustainable development].
The presence of creation in the music industry will also be considered, as well as the role of women creators within contemporary composition, in order to explore ways to restore balance between men and women in the European market.

Mentorship

The TEE mentorship program is based on strong intergenerational transmission between established composers and students or early-career artists.

During Phase 1, young composers benefited from score analyses, detailed feedback on their writing, and rigorous dialogue on their aesthetic choices. The transmission is not solely vertical, as the young composers also share their research and creations.
The first workshops for young composers also made the professional process visible: rehearsals, exchanges with performers, and preparation of new works.
Through this, young composers discovered the concrete realities of the profession while strengthening their confidence and artistic legitimacy.

In Phase 2, each mentor will guide a small group of young composers across countries for a full year.
This artistic companionship will allow for in-depth supervision of a creation project, from the initial idea to public presentation.
Specific support will also focus on career structuring: artistic positioning, dissemination strategy, and understanding of European networks will be addressed.
Collective sessions will explore copyright, contracts, and responses to calls for projects.
Mentorship will also include work on professional posture and public speaking.
Residencies or joint laboratories will punctuate the year of work.

TEE thus affirms its commitment to female creation and to the emergence of a new generation of composers in Europe.

They Have Already Joined Us

France: Château de Champs-sur-Marne, Champs-sur-Marne; OCP Font Romeu; Les Mardis de l’Ermitage; Médiathèque; Casino, Font Romeu; Opéra au Village, Pourrières; Musée Cantini, Marseille; La Croisée des Arts, Saint-Maximin.

Hungary: Foundation Egy Hangversenyteremért Alapítvány; Institut Français de Hongrie, Budapest.

Malta: Din l-Art Helwa; SCAC Malta; Cello Academy; Spazju Kreattiv; Bla Kliem; Institut Catholique; Valletta Design Cluster, Valletta.

Spain: Associació Cultural Pau Casals, L’Escala; Conservatoire Liceu, Barcelona; Institut Français d’Espagne, Palacio de Longoria, Madrid; Universidad Loyola; Conservatorio Superior de Música; Conservatorio Profesional de Música F. Guerrero; Academy of Fine Arts, Universidad CICUS, Seville; Conservatorio Superior de Música de Aragón, Zaragoza.

Contacter TRANS EUROPE EXPRESS :

Contact us for any information.

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