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Ellie Kershaw (clarinet) and Iain Clarke (piano)

Friday 11 October 2024

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

This fascinating programme opens with Poulenc’s “Clarinet Sonat”a, one of the pillars of the clarinet repertoire, celebrated for its lyrical beauty and emotional depth and embodying the wit and poignancy of mid-20th century French music. Following this, Paul Reade’s “The Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite” evokes a garden at different times of the year. Next, Eleanor Alberga’s “Duo” introduces a vibrant and rhythmic exploration, showcasing her distinctive, dynamic style influenced by her Caribbean roots. We then delve into the romantic era with Marie Elisabeth von Sachsen-Meiningen’s “Romanze”, offering a rare gem of sentimental and melodic charm from a significant, but overlooked, woman composer of the era.

Poulenc – Clarinet Sonata
Paul Reade The Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite 
Eleanor Alberga – Duo from Dancing with the Shadow
Marie Elisabeth Von Sachsen-Meiningen – Romanze 
Schumann – Fantasiestucke

Ellie Kershaw clarinet
Iain Clarke piano

Ellie Kershaw started her music education in her hometown of Norwich playing for Norfolk County Youth Orchestra and then headed to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to complete her undergraduate degree with First Class Honors. Ellie is now studying her Master’s at the Royal College of Music where she is a Headley Trust Scholar.

Ellie has won the RWCMD Howarth of London Single Reed Prize and the RWCMD John Ireland Prize. She was also a finalist in the RWCMD Concerto Competition performing James MacMillan’s Clarinet Concerto ‘Ninian’. Ellie has taken an interest in exploring contemporary music having recently enjoyed giving performances of works by Eleanor Alberga, Elizabeth Maconchy, James MacMillan and Kenneth Hesketh.

Ellie has started her professional career playing second clarinet with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and BBC Symphony Orchestra. She is also a keen chamber musician and a member of the Hyde Quartet.

 

Iain Clarke is originally from the Isle of Arran in Scotland and works around London, the UK, and internationally as a collaborative and orchestral pianist. He was the Royal College of Music’s Gilbert and Eileen Edgar and Anthony Saltmarsh collaborative pianist from September 2022 to July 2024, working with their woodwind, brass and percussion departments. Notable chamber partnerships include saxophonist Richard Scholfield, cellist Lavinnia Rae, horn player Olivia Gandee, alongside frequent orchestral work with the London Philharmonic Orchestra (including tours to Poland and Belgium), the London Symphony Orchestra, Bath Festival Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra and Britten Sinfonia.  His debut album recording of the Concerto for Two Pianos (Eight Hands) and Wind Quintet by Malcolm Williamson is due to be released late 2024 / early 2025.

Dates, Times & Book

Fri 11 Oct 1:00 PM £10 Book

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