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Past Events > 2017

Russian Voices: Guy Johnston, Joan Rodgers & Sholto Kynoch at Kings Place

12 May 2017, 19:30 - 21:30

Concert

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Kings Place

90 York Way, Kings Cross, London N1 9AG, UK

We are delighted to return to Kings Place in London, for a co-promoted concert as part of their Cello Unwrapped season. Often compared to a human voice, the cello is a natural partner in song, as composers have long recognised. Here leading cellist Guy Johnston is joined by distinguished soprano Joan Rodgers in a Russian-themed programme which delves into the soulful songs of Rachmaninov, Scriabin and Arensky, and the cosmopolitan Pauline Viardot. The programme includes two works dedicated to Rostropovich: Prokofiev’s bittersweet late Cello Sonata; and Shostakovich’s visionary Romances on the poetry of Alexandr Blok, written for Rostropovich and his wife Galina Vishnevskaya. For the latter, we welcome violinist Sophie Rosa.

Also as part of this concert, exceptional young baritone Michael Mofidian, recent winner of the Oxford Lieder Young Artist Platform, will perform six Arensky Six Romances, the second of which is a duet with cello.

Pre-concert talk: 6.45pm, St Pancras Room
Cellist and guest speaker Justin Pearson has established a fine instrument scheme for the Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain, and has helped many prominent cellists. He draws on long experience of instrument buying and of forming syndicates.

Tickets available here through Kings Place.

Rachmaninov Lied (Romance) in F minor for cello and piano

Arensky Six Romances, Op. 38

Prokofiev Cello Sonata in C, Op. 119

Viardot The Stars, VWV 1059

Scriabin Romance (1890)

Shostakovich ‘Romance’ and ‘Nocturne’ from the Gadfly Suite, Op. 97a

Shostakovich Seven Romances on Poems by Aleksandr Blok, Op. 127

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Programme

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Artist Portrait

Guy Johnston

Guy Johnston

Cello

Guy Johnston is one of the most exciting and versatile British cellists of his generation. Born into a musical family, Guy joined his brothers in the world- renowned choir of King's College, Cambridge, where he recorded the famous carol Once in Royal David's City, under Stephen Cleobury. He went on to achieve important early successes through the BBC Young Musician of the Year title, the Guilhermina Suggia Gift, the Shell London Symphony Orchestra Gerald MacDonald Award and receiving a Classical Brit Award at the Royal Albert Hall. H... Read Full Biography
Artist Portrait

Joan Rodgers

Joan Rodgers

Soprano

Internationally renowned, Joan Rodgers is equally established in opera, concert, and as a recitalist. She has appeared in concert with conductors including Solti, Barenboim, Mehta, Harnoncourt, Mackerras, Ashkenazy, Salonen and Rattle and is a regular guest at the BBC Proms. Operatic engagements have included engagements at the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Opera North and Glyndebourne in Britain, Paris, Munich, Brussels, Amsterdam and Vienna in Europe, and the Metropolitan Opera, New York. Joan Rodgers has also appeared in r... Read Full Biography
Artist Portrait

Sophie Rosa

Sophie Rosa

Violin

Sophie Rosa first garnered attention after winning the Second Prize and Audience Prize at the 2nd Manchester International Violin Competition 2011. She has performed across the UK as a recitalist in venues including the Royal Festival Hall, the Purcell Room, Wigmore Hall and Bridgewater Hall as well as appearing with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Manchester Camerata. Sophie has broadcast for Radio 3 and Classic FM. Sophie's debut album, 'Reve d'Enfant' was released in 2016 on the Champs Hill Records label.... Read Full Biography
Artist Portrait

Michael Mofidian

Michael Mofidian

Bass-Baritone

Michael studies with Mark Wildman and Audrey Hyland at the Royal Academy of Music. A RAM/Kohn Foundation Bach scholar and a member of the RAM Song Circle, Michael is the grateful recipient of awards from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, the Sir James Caird Travelling Scholarships Trust, Kirsten and Dwight Poler, Help Musicians UK, and the ABRSM. Previously he read Music at Jesus College, Cambridge, graduating with first-class honours. Operatic roles include Colline (La bohème), Ferryman (Curlew River), Noye (Noyes Fludde), an... Read Full Biography
Artist Portrait

Sholto Kynoch

Sholto Kynoch

Pianist

Sholto Kynoch is a sought-after pianist who specialises in chamber music and song accompaniment. In addition to a busy performance schedule and a fast-growing discography, he is the founder and director of the Oxford Lieder Festival, the UK’s most renowned song festival, which recently won a prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Award. In recent years he has appeared at London’s Wigmore Hall, the Palau de la Música in Barcelona, the Berliner Konzerthaus, the Victoria Concert Hall in Singapore, the Opéra de Lille... Read Full Biography
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