Julia Blachuta & Daniel King Smith

Performers

Notes on the performers

Julia Blachuta

Julia Blachuta is a Polish violinist. At the age of twelve she made her debut with ‘’Fresco Sonare” Orchestra, playing Wieniawski’s second Violin Concerto. At the age of seventeen Julia was a graduate of a three years pre-college program at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna simultaneously doing both her music and general high schools in Cracow, Poland. Since 2020, Julia has been studying at Royal College of Music in London with legendary professor Itzhak Rashkovsky on a full scholarship as a recipient of the HDM Meyer Violin Prize award. She is a laureate of a dozen international and national violin competitions (Grand Prix at the CEA National Chamber Audition, 2nd place at the 3rd Jadwiga Kaliszewska International Violin Competition in Poznan, 4th place at the Groblicz Family National Violin Competition in Krakow).

Julia is an extraordinary soloist and chamber musician, she regularly performs with her Piano Trio in London and Brighton. In April 2022 The Hamie-Blachuta Trio was selected to represent RCM at the Senior Intercollegiate Piano Trio Competition at RAM organized by Piano Trio Society where they won the 1st prize. In addition to her mainstream – classical music, she successfully co-creates the alternative music group LOR. In April 2018, being only seventeen years old, Julia and her band made their debut releasing the long CD album “Lowlight” together with Agora agency and Sony ATV publishing. Currently her band has more then 6 millions views and 180 thousand monthly listeners on Spotify. Their music has been a soundtrack of the Netflix series ,”Open your eyes”. Julia plays 2019 violin made by polish luthier, Jan Pawlikowski. Julia is very grateful for the support of the Royal Philharmonic Society, The Polish Children’s Trust, Pro Musics Bona Foundation and Sapere Auso Scholarship Trust.

Daniel King Smith

Daniel King Smith has given concerts all over the world as both soloist and accompanist. He has been broadcast on both BBC TV/Radio in the UK (In Tune, Proms, Young Musician of the Year) and NHK TV/Radio in Japan, most recently in recital with Yuki Ito as part of NHK’s “Best of Classic” and “Classic Club” series. Daniel has recorded a number of CDs, including releases with Yuki Ito for Sony and with Anna Hashimoto on the Meridian label.

As a soloist, Daniel’s extensive concerto repertoire has lead to many concerts in the UK and around Europe. He has frequently been a featured Solo Classical Artist on many Cruise lines around the world.

Accompaniment and chamber music are a major part of Daniel’s life, having held staff accompanist posts at both Royal College of Music and Royal Academy of Music Junior Departments and at the Purcell School. He regularly accompanies auditions, lessons, masterclasses and end of year recitals at the London conservatoires as well as being official accompanist for the Countess of Munster Trust. Daniel gives recitals every year with a number of people who have been accepted onto the Countess of Munster Recital Scheme as well as both the Tillett Trust and Making Music Recital Schemes. He is also official accompanist for the Tunbridge Wells International Young Concert Artists competition. Daniel is often resident pianist on summer music courses including the British Isles Music Festival and Musicale. He has given recitals with Michael Collins, Carmel Kaine, Susan Milan, Robert Max, Yuki Ito and Anna Hashimoto, amongst many others and is a member of the Ridgeway Ensemble.

Programme

Programme notes