International Concert Series 2024-25
William T. Horton’s fantastic image The Path to the Moon immediately inspired a flurry of ideas for this evening's programme, including works on the subjects of both night and the moon, as well as pieces which invoke the exploratory nature of humankind’s voyage to the moon. Britten wrote his Sonata for Cello and Piano only two years after the first object made by humans had touched the surface of the moon, in 1959. Humans throughout history and from all cultures have been drawn to and taken inspiration from the moon and we have tried to reflect this in our eclectic choice of repertoire: from Tōru Takemitsu to Nina Simone and from Lili Boulanger to Florence Price. As we hope you will hear in this concert, Walker’s Cello Sonata rings with echoes of the sound-worlds of blues and jazz and is infused with a beautiful lyricism.
We welcome one of the leading cellists of her generation, Laura van der Heijden, and pianist Jâms Coleman for this evening of specially curated music for cello and piano.
This event is presented as part of the International Concert Series 2024-25 at Royal Holloway.
Event programme
George Walker (1922-2018): Cello Sonata
Lili Boulanger (1893-1913): Reflets
Howard Skempton (b. 1947): Night Song
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976): Sonata in C for cello and piano, Op. 65
Hale Smith (1925-2009): 'March Moon' from Beyond the Rim of Day
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924): Claire de Lune, Op. 46 No 2
Claude Debussy (1862-1918): Cello Sonata in D minor, L. 135
Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957): 'Stönste Nacht' from Die stumme Serenade, Op. 36
Tōru Takemitsu (1930-1996): Will Tomorrow, I Wonder, Be Cloudy or Clear?
Nina Simone (1933-2003): Everyone's Gone to the Moon
About the performers
Laura van der Heijden 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. Forthcoming concerto appearances include with the Brno Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Other highlights of Laura’s 2024/25 season include recitals at the Cello Biënnale Amsterdam and Wigmore Hall with long standing pianist Jâms Coleman, collaborative projects at the Serios Fesitval in Helsinki and with Her Ensemble at London’s Milton Court, and a chamber project with Ben Goldscheider at the Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin. Read more.
From Anglesey, North Wales, Jâms Coleman is a pianist who enjoys performing as a soloist, chamber musician, and vocal accompanist. He regularly performs at prestigious festivals and venues in the UK and internationally and recent highlights include recitals at the Aldeburgh Festival, BBC Proms, Champs Hill, Cello Biënnale (Amsterdam), Cheltenham Festival, Kings Place, Leeds Lieder Festival, LSO St Luke’s, Ortús Chamber Music Festival (Cork), Oxford International Song Festival, Petworth Festival, Prussia Cove Open Chamber Music, The Royal Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), and Wigmore Hall. Read more.
Car parking
When you arrive for a College event at our Egham campus, please park in car parks 12 or 4.
Car park 12 can be accessed by turning right as you enter the main College gates and is located next to the tennis courts. If this car park is full, please drive further onto our campus to car park 4, which can be accessed by turning left at the mini-roundabout behind the Students’ Union. We would advise that you bring the College map to campus with you and give yourself plenty of time to park.
Blue Badge holders can find designated parking spaces in Car park 1W, as well as between Gardeners Lodge and the Williams Annexe. You can find these locations by looking at our campus map opposite. If you require any assistance on arrival, please contact our premises team in advance of your visit by emailing: premisesadmin@royalholloway.ac.uk and they will be happy to help.
Please note that we operate an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system on certain parts of our campus, however if you are here for an organised event, parking is unrestricted for event guests in car parks 12, 4 or 14 (or display your blue badge permit if parking in a disabled bay). If you have any questions about parking, please email: premisesadmin@royalholloway.ac.uk
Laura van der Heijden (cello); Jâms Coleman (piano)
Further information
Advanced booking is essential.
Tickets
Ticket prices are £12.50 (standard); £10.00 (Concession; over 60s); £5.00 for Royal Holloway alumni and non-Royal Holloway students; FREE for Royal Holloway students, Royal Holloway staff and children under the age of 16. Season Tickets apply to this event.
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