We look forward to listening to Isabel Williamson (Cello) and Jonathan Ellis (Piano) WACIDOM lunchtime concert on the 1st April at 12:30. They will be playing:
Arvo Pärt – Fratres
Olivier Messiaen – Louange à l’Éternité de Jésus
Brahms Sonata no. 2 in F major, Op. 99
Isabel Williamson is a 22 year old cellist from Southampton currently studying for a Master’s degree at the Royal Northern College of Music, where she learns from Sally Pendlebury. Previously, she was awarded a first-class music degree from the University of Manchester where she studied with Simon Turner. During her time at University she lead the cello sections of the Symphony and Chamber orchestras, and in 2015 performed Elgar’s Cello Concerto with the University of Manchester Symphony Orchestra. She was awarded the Proctor Gregg Recital Prize for her final year recital. She is a keen player of Baroque music and has performed as a soloist in Vivaldi’s Double Cello Concerto in addition to being an experienced Baroque chamber musician and continuo player. She is an active chamber musician and performs regularly with her string quartet, the Ellison String Quartet, and her cantata group, The Almira Consort. Isabel is equally at home in popular and classical styles, and recently returned from a European tour with the folk-rock band ‘The Wishing Well’, in addition to composing for and playing in her Manchester band ‘The Binary Giant’. When not playing music, she enjoys baking, rock climbing and hiking.
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”