We are delighted to welcome cellist Hannah Roberts and pianist Simon Parkin to give  a lunchtime recital.

Hannah Roberts is one of the outstanding ‘cellists of her generation. She  she was privileged to have studied extensively with William Pleeth at the Yehudi Menuhin School and Ralph Kirshbaum at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Having won prizes in numerous prestigious competitions and awards such as the Shell LSO, BBC Young Musician, Jacqueline Du Pré Memorial, and Pierre Fournier awards, Hannah has gone on to give many concerto performances with leading orchestras, including the London Mozart Players, LSO, BBC Concert Orchestra, and the Hallé, also making frequent broadcasts for BBC radio and recording for ASV.

Internationally, she has taken part in the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival in Los Angeles, Vivac-e Festival, and Heifetz Institute in the U.S., Encore Chamber Music, International Cello Institute, and numerous other festivals in Europe, and enjoys an active schedule of solo and chamber music performances.

In addition to her activities as a soloist, chamber musician, and principal ‘cellist of the award-winning chamber orchestra Manchester Camerata, Hannah is a committed and sought-after teacher. Recently announced as Jacqueline Du Pré Professor of Cello at the RAM in London, she is also Professor of Cello at the RNCM in Manchester, Visiting Artist in Cello at RBC, and visiting tutor for the University of Oxford.

Her distinguished roster of student alumni includes the British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, South African artist Abel Selaocoe, and some of the world’s most notable young soloists, chamber musicians, and principal ‘cellists.

Simon Parkin  studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School at the age of 10 and trained there as a pianist. An early interest in composition was encouraged there, and at 17 Simon entered Manchester University and the RNCM as a composition student. Upon graduation he was invited onto the staff at RNCM, where he has taught a range of practically-based subjects including aural, improvisation, composition and arranging. He is now Deputy Head of Academic Studies at the RNCM.  He has also taught improvisation and composition at both the Menuhin and the Purcell music schools.

Simon has developed his role as an accompanist/duo pianist, enjoying a comprehensive repertoire, and as well as his partnership with Hannah, he works regularly with artists such as Ralph Kirshbaum, and has performed with a range of international artists at festivals and in recital. He is regularly invited as pianist for instrumental classes at IMS Prussia Cove, London Masterclasses and the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Masterclasses, and has recorded a recital disk with violinist Detlef Hahn.

Todays programme will include works by Bridge, Beethoven and Parkin.