Nadsa Concerts Newsletter - November 2023

By John Rockey
7 November 2023

The second of our Sunday afternoon concerts brings together rising young American Cellist Eliana Yang and the established British Pianist Viv McLean.

As well as performing solo recitals in her native Philadelphia, Eliana has appeared  in London, Paris, Rome, Brussels, Frankfurt, New York, and Helsinki.  She has also received top prizes in the Philadelphia All City Orchestra and other competitions.  Collaborating with members of the Vermeer, Tokyo, Audubon, Aizuri, and Momenta string quartets, Ensemble Epomeo, and the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), she has performed in Carnegie Hall as a participant of the New York String Orchestra Seminar under the baton of Jaime Laredo.  Eliana has spent the last few summers at the Perlman Music Program and is a student of Natasha Brofksy at The Juilliard School in New York City, and it is with great pleasure that we welcome her to Newton Abbot.  To read more about Eliana go to https://charlestoncompetition.com/performer-eliana-razzino-yang/

Viv is no longer a newcomer to us: recall that since winning First Prize at the Maria Canals Piano Competition in Barcelona, his amazing talent has led him to perform in all the major venues in the UK as well as throughout Europe, Japan, Australia and the USA.  Viv’s concerto work includes appearances with all of the principle orchestras in the UK as well as festivals across Europe, and he is building an impressive recording history.  Read more about Viv and hear some of his work at https://www.vivmclean.com/

Their varied programme together for us will include Beethoven’s late Cello Sonata No 5 in D Major, Op 102 No 2; Tom Vignieri’s haunting  ‘when the dream’;  Brahms’ romantic Cello Sonata No 2 in F Major, Op 99;  Piazzolla’s exciting Le Grand Tango, and Mendelssohn’s gentle Song Without Words.  

This promises to be another afternoon to remember so visit https://nadsa.co.uk/event/eliana-yang-viv-mclean-cello-and-piano/ to buy your tickets before it’s too late: remember that there are no walk-ins.

We are grateful to Michael Brown, who sponsors this concert in memory of his wife, Anne.

What else is happening nearby?  Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra present their ‘1001 Tales’ concert at Exeter Cathedral on Wednesday 22nd November; works by Glinka, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Rimsky-Korsakov – details at https://bsolive.com/whats-on/exeter/
Of course there are always Christmas concerts all around the area in December, but here are two that may interest you.

Shaldon Singers are leading their concert on 9th with Vivaldi’s Gloria; and Rachmaninov’s Bogoroditse Devo, accompanied by organist Andrew Millington.  The concert will also include other works as well as carols for choir and for audience.. https://shaldonsingers.weebly.com/  for tickets.

Then on Sunday 10th December Devon Baroque are at Exeter Cathedral when, with the Cathedral Choir they will perform Handel’s Messiah - https://www.devonbaroque.co.uk/  for more information.

That’s it for now; there’s no NADSA concert in December, so expect the next newsletter to arrive around the same time as the New Year greetings.  Meanwhile, enjoy the festive season in whichever way seems appropriate for you.
Happy listening
John R