Laura van der Heijden, cello, Jâms Coleman, piano

Saturday 5 July, 7.30pm

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Laura van der Heijden and Jâms Coleman

Laura van der Heijden, cello; Jâms Coleman, piano

Claude Debussy: Cello Sonata
Rebecca Clarke: Rhapsody
Mel Bonis: Cello Sonata in F major
César Franck: Violin Sonata (arr. Delsart for cello)

Cellist Laura van der Heijden and pianist Jâms Coleman have established a deep and fruitful musical rapport in recent years. Laura has emerged as one of the leading cellists of her generation, captivating audiences and critics alike with her deeply perceptive interpretations and engaging, creative programming. Jâms is a Welsh pianist who enjoys a rich and varied musical life performing as a soloist, chamber musician and vocal accompanist.

Their programme reveals the hugely expressive range of the cello repertoire with three works from the early twentieth century. The prodigious output of work of Mel (Mélanie) Bonis (1858-1937) is currently being rediscovered by today’s musicians; she is heard here alongside her contemporaries Debussy, and César Franck – a mentor who introduced her to the Parisian musical environment. (See here for more background.) Rebecca Clarke was a British composer and violinist, whose Rhapsody has established her as one of the most significant composers of her generation.

‘I love the impulsive passion of Laura van der Heijden's cello playing, while Jâms Coleman has a real feel for the fragility and sadness of the piano writing, as well as the combustible quality of some of the outbursts of emotion. The whole recital is beautifully made … proper storytelling in music.’ Janet Banks, March 2022, The Strad

This concert is sponsored in memory of Denys and Marie Stott, through their generous bequest.

Venue: Thaxted Parish Church
Tickets: £26*, £22, £16, £12, £10. Age 30 and under: £10; age 18 and under: £5.
*Premium seating in centre front rows.

“[The Tippett Quartet] concert as part of the 2023 Thaxted Festival revealed a group of musicians of profound interpretative depth, and capable of traversing a wide range of repertoire.”
Colin Clarke, Classical Explorer
“A positively life-enhancing performance of Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love in English with reduced ensemble by Wild Arts…”
Colin Clarke, Classical Explorer
“The performance was a joy … and the quartet brought out its sense of both structural and linear perfection.” Holst’s Phantasy Quartet Op 36 performed by the Tippett Quartet.
Colin Clarke, Classical Explorer
“The Tippett Quartet and Emma Abbate have performed Schumann’s Piano Quintet together many times. On this occasion they combined flawless execution with instinctive – and utterly engaging – musicianship.”
Claire Seymour, in Seen and Heard International.
“…this was a wonderfully enjoyable and engaging performance that really punched above its weight. The audience in Thaxted clearly loved it and were fully engaged, whilst this experienced reviewer was carried away as well.”
Wild Art’s production of The Elixir of Love, reviewed by Robert Hugill in Planet Hugill
“2 terrific concerts I heard with London Mozart Players.”
Thaxted Festival concertgoer
“I think Gustav is smiling down to see how his memory and that of his best friend and colleague Ralph Vaughan Williams are honoured by the expertly played pieces they both composed.”
Thaxted Festival concertgoer
“It's always the variety and quality which keeps me coming back.”
Thaxted Festival concertgoer
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