So our new outdoor concert adventure continues! Just because this was to be the second event didn’t mean that it would come with no surprises. In fact, there were so many ‘firsts’ this time around: an indoor piano to an outdoor audience; a tenor singer and a portable keyboard; the unique combination of guitar, accordion and voice; English songs and songs from around-the-world songs; and, this being England in July, a few drops of rain mid-performance.
To welcome the audience, RCM piano student Yuki Hammyo performed Toccata by Ravel and Barcarole by Chopin. In a first-time experiment, she was playing from inside the house to the outdoor, socially-distanced audience, but the lovely piano sound carried very well and I’m sure satisfied many as there has been so little live piano music for so long. The Barcarole, in particular, felt so suited to the occasion as the glorious melody flowed across the garden.
Fellow RCM tenor James Cobb took the initiative to introduce a variety of English songs, including lesser-known composers such as Quiller and Warlock. He showed off a dynamic range of voice; strong yet beautiful, warm and gentle.
I have nothing other than praise to offer for the main performers. Guitarist Andrey Lebedev’s no-nonsense, no-frill performing emphasized his admirable skill and preciseness; he made everything look effortless. Meanwhile, it was intriguing to watch Bartosz Glowacki manipulate his accordion and hear how it sang and wept; what a magical, emotional instrument. Mezzo soprano Lotte Betts-Dean was absolutely charming; her glowingly expressive voice was well-controlled, yet sounded care free. They took us on a joyful and emotional ride, with music from around the world. They put a smile on our face and left warmness in our heart. This was a concert to be remembered for a long time.
The only negative? Of course, the weather could have been better! But our performers and audience were resilient and the few drops of rain did not spoil the enjoyment of the afternoon.
Australian mezzo soprano Lotte Betts-Dean is a versatile and dynamic concert artist, whose performance experience encompasses opera, oratorio, contemporary music, art song recital/chamber music, early music and non-classical collaborations. She has been based in London since 2014 and works internationally, most often in the UK and Australia. Lotte is Associate Artist with Southbank Sinfonia, and is a member of London-based contemporary music group Ensemble x.y. She is also a City Music Foundation Artist for 2017-2019, recently won the 2019 Oxford Lieder Young Artist Platform, and was selected as a 2020 Samling Young Artist. Lotte is a regular collaborator with guitarist Andrey Lebedev with whom she won the inaugural 2018 New Elizabethan Award. Lotte is one 2018 bursars with the Imogen Cooper Music Trust and in 2019 became a Yeoman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
Described as ‘versatile, full of charisma, characterized by extraordinary care for sound quality’, the accordionist Bartosz Glowacki certainly shows the qualities of a rising star. Winner of numerous competitions, he was awarded the Polish Young Musician of the Year in 2009 and represented Poland at the Eurovision for Young Musician Competition in Vienna.
He has performed as a soloist in prestigious concert halls including the Wigmore Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican, the Royal Albert Hall, La Salle Cortot and the Witold Lutoslawski Concert Studio of Polish Radio. Bartosz is recognized as an active chamber musician. Founder of the Deco Ensemble, he has worked with renowned artists from various musical worlds, such as Nigel Kennedy, Trevor Pinnock, Atom String Quartet, Tanita Tikaram, Manchester Collective, Lizzie Ball and Gabriella Swallow.
Australian-Russian guitarist Andrey Lebedev is on a mission to redefine the relationship of the guitar to the classical mainstream. His creative collaborations and track record of performing new works have garnered him attention from critics and audiences across Europe, South America, USA, and Australia. He was mentored by guitar giants Julian Bream and John Williams and was the first young guitarist invited by Bream to perform for the Julian Bream Trust. He is a Prize Winner of the renowned ARD music competition and Guitar Foundation of America Competition, First Prize winner of the Gisborne International Music Competition and Adelaide International Guitar Competition, and still the only guitarist in the 85-year history of the Sydney Eisteddfod to win the esteemed “NSW Doctors Orchestra Instrumental Scholarship”.
British tenor James Cobb studies at the Royal College of Music London, under the tutelage of Dinah Harris, where he is a Scholar. Before taking a Gap Year working at St Paul’s Cathedral, James studied at the Royal College of Music’s Junior Department between 2015-17. Here he began working with Veronica Veysey-Campbell with whom he studied very successfully with for 5 years, and attributes much of his success to.
Born in 1999, Yuki Hammyo is a Japanese pianist living in London performing in countries including Japan, Holland, Italy, Spain, and England. She won the silver prize in the 1st European International Piano Concours in Japan, and third prize in the 1st Windsor International Piano Competition. She was also selected as the finalist for the 12th Osaka International Music Competition, 9th Beten Music Competition, and 10th Beten Music Competition.
Music on arrival
- Yuki Hammyo, piano (from inside the music room)
- English Songs
- James Cobb, tenor
- Yuki Hammyo, piano
Main performance
- Lotte Betts-Dean, mezzo soprano
- Bartosz Glowacki, accordion
- Andrey Lebedev, guitar
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Piazzolla: Zita
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Nazareth: Odeon
- Garoto: Enigma
- Garoto: Lamentos do Morro
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Fernando Sor: Cesa de Atormentarme
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Garcia Lorca: Nana de Sevilla
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De Falla: Jota
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Jobim: Agua de Beber (arr. Joao Luis)
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J S Bach: Prelude and Fugue in C minor BWV 871
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Monteverdi: Vi ricorda o boschi ombrosi, from Orfeo
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Louiguy/Monnot/Piaf: La vie en rose
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Trenet: La Mer
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Jobim: Girl from Ipanema
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Bonfa: Manha De Carnaval
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Jobim: Chega de Saudade