Hannah Lewis & Neil Crossland

Performers

Notes on the performers

Bio tbc

Yorkshire pianist and composer Neil Crossland began playing the piano at the age of six and studied at the Royal College of Music, where he won major prizes in both piano and composition. Since then he has performed extensively at home and abroad, and written pieces in all genres.

Neil has played at many major London venues, including the Barbican, Queen Elizabeth Hall. St John’s Smith Square, St Martin’s in the Fields, and frequent appearances at the Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room. He has performed all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas in a concert series at St James’ Piccadilly. He has also performed throughout the UK, in France, Greece, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Tunisia and recently in Singapore giving concerts of the unfinished Schubert Sonatas as well as workshops and masterclasses.

Neil has made over 20 recordings on the Deltatel label, including the complete cycle of the Beethoven piano sonatas, and works by Haydn, Schumann, Liszt, Rachmaninov, Ravel and Poulenc. Among his other projects has been to revive and record the piano compositions of astronomer Royal Sir Patrick Moore. He has appeared frequently on radio and television, including performing live on BBC Radio 3 and 4.

Programme

Programme notes

Neil Crossland

2nd Cello Sonata Op 68

1. Moderato e rimico
2. movement 2
3. Prayer
4. Andante e cantabile

Neil Crossland’s Cello Sonata No. 2 is a captivating work that showcases a vibrant dialogue between the cello and piano across four distinct movements. With its lush textures and abundant melodic inventiveness, this sonata explores a range of moods and expressions, from lyrical introspection to virtuosic brilliance. Each movement offers a unique character, contributing to a dramatic and cohesive journey. The piano and cello engage in a dynamic interplay, weaving intricate themes and echoing one another in moments of tender lyricism and bold intensity. This piece reflects Crossland’s skill in blending technical finesse with emotive power, resulting in a rich, multifaceted work that will captivate both performers and listeners.

Source: Wikipedia

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Cello Sonata Op 19

1. Lento – Allegro moderato
2. Allegro scherzando
3. Andante
4. Allegro mosso

Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Sonata in G minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 19 was completed in November 1901 and published a year later.

Rachmaninoff regarded the role of the piano as not just an accompaniment but equal to the cello. Most of the themes are introduced by the piano, while they are embellished and expanded in the cello’s part.

Source: Wikipedia