Isabel Williamson – Cello Jonathan Ellis – Piano
Franck Sonata in A major i. Allegretto ben moderato
ii. Allegro
iii. Recitativo-Fantasia: Ben moderato
iv. Allegretto poco mosso
Rachmaninoff Vocalise
Bruch Kol Nidrei
Isabel Williamson graduated from of the Royal Northern College of Music in 2017, where she achieved a distinction in her Master’s degree, studying cello with Sally Pendlebury. Previously, she was awarded the Proctor Gregg Recital Prize and a first-class music degree from the University of Manchester. In addition to freelance orchestral work with groups such as the Michael Haydn Orchestra and the Darwin Ensemble Chamber Orchestra, she performs frequent recitals across the north with her longstanding duo partner, Jonathan Ellis, and previously with the Ryebank Piano Trio. As a soloist she has performed Elgar cello concerto and Vivaldi Concerto for two cellos. She specialises in historically informed performance of Baroque music and has played continuo in several Baroque operas. Outside the classical sphere, Isabel works as a session musician and creative artist and has collaborated with local and international songwriters and bands. She is part of the indie band ‘Bonfire Tide’ and toured internationally with the folk-rock band ‘The Wishing Well’. Isabel is a dedicated and passionate teacher of cello and piano.
Jonathan Ellis started learning the piano at the age of three. From the age of 11 onwards, he studied at Wells Cathedral School, and then moved on to the joint music course of the RNCM and Manchester University. He achieved a first class degree from both institutions plus the PPRNCM diploma in solo piano studying with John Gough, and afterwards attained postgraduate-level diplomas in accompaniment and chamber music under John Wilson. During his time at college, he was to win many prizes as an accompanist, plus the RNCM’s two major chamber music prizes with his trio, its annual Beethoven competition as a solo pianist, and subsequently the Audience Prize at the Intercollegiate Beethoven competition. He currently performs regularly as a soloist, as chamber musician with The Ryebank Trio, as vocal and instrumental accompanist, choral/operatic repetiteur or musical director, and has also been a competitor in international piano competitions: besides making regular appearances with City of Manchester Opera, Opera Seria, Heritage Opera, Bury Choral Society, the Pennine Spring Music Festival and the Buxton Festival Fringe (where he was a triple prize-winner in 2010, 2011 and 2014.) He also performs with “Classical Evolution”, and musical charities “Music in Hospitals” and “Live Music Now”.
