Classical Fundraiser Recitals

Presented by the Friends of Blackheath Halls

The Classical Fundraiser series of fundraising recitals for the autumns, featuring artists at the start of their professional careers.

All concerts take place in the Recital Room and start at 1.10pm after a light lunch available prior to the recital. Admission is free with a retiring donation to  Blackheath Halls.

Monday 5 November, 1.10pm
Anne Allen flute & Charles Matthews piano

"What has also always struck me about her flute playing is that she does not seem to have any technical problems that stand in the way of her natural, flowing style..." Wissam Boustany, International Soloist.

Anne Allen, an experienced and award winning professional flautist (or flutist - the terms are interchangeable), excels as both a soloist, ensemble and orchestral player. She has been seen and heard on TV and radio and in prestigious venues across the world, such as the Royal Albert Hall.

Charles pursues a varied career as pianist, organist and harpsichordist, both as soloist and within various chamber ensembles, performing and broadcasting for radio and television within the UK and internationally. 

Monday 12 November, 1.10pm
Rebeca Omordia piano

Described by Birmingham Post as a " pianist willing to take risks", Rebeca Omordia has performed as a solo recitalist and with orchestras in prestigious venues in Belgium, Finland, Austria, including White Hall in Helsinki, Steinway Hall in London, Birmingham Town Hall and Bucharest Romanian Athenaeum. She has worked with leading conductors such as Sabin Pautza, Ervin Acel, Lionel Hill, Modest Cichirdan, Radu Popa, Steven Clarke, Dorin Frandes, Valentin Doni. Rebeca has also played for BBC Radio 3 In Tune with cellist Julian Lloyd Webber.

Monday 19 November, 1.10pm
Tzigane Piano Trio

Monday 26 November, 1.10pm
Kaija Lukas, violin/viola & Jean-Paul Muir, piano

Kaija Lukas was born in Estonia and began her violin studies at the Rapla Music School in 1993, and continued at the Tallinn Music High School with Prof. Tiiu Peaske.Kaija has given solo recitals and concerts with orchestras throughout Estonia, and has also been a member of the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and the Tallinn Youth Orchestra, which she led in 2005.

In 2009 John-Paul Muir completed a Master of Music in piano performance with First Class Honours, studying with Rae de Lisle and Stephen De Pledge at the University of Auckland School of Music. He has won top prizes at many of New Zealand's leading music competitions including the 2010 Kerikeri National Piano Competition, the National Concerto Competition, and National Young Performer of the Year. In addition to his classical piano studies, John-Paul enjoys improvising and playing jazz, and has studied with Auckland-based jazz pianist Kevin Field. 

Monday 3 December, 1.10pm
Hanson Duo (Harriet Murray violin & Alice Murray cello)

Alice and Harriet Murray were just five years old when their mother first introduced them to classical music. Having spent much of the rest of their musical lives performing together, they recently established the Hanson duo which now regularly performs all around the country.Both graduates of Trinity College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, their exciting approach to standard string duo repertoire draws upon their experience of performing in a wide range of ensembles. As well as studying classical music with distinguished cellists Felix Schmidt and Colin Carr, Alice regularly performs at the most cutting edge jazz venues in London with ensembles led by Joe Wright and John Cervantes, performing innovative music that draws on both classical traditions and contemporary jazz. Harriet has recently completed a busy year with Southbank Sinfonia, and also has experience playing in a wide range of contexts, having recently completed a tour performing in Jeff Wayne's adaptation of War of the Worlds, at venues such as London's O2 Arena. They recently performed with 'Chilly Gonzales' at the Soho Theatre.

Monday 10 December, 1.10pm
Helen Bailey soprano

Middlesbrough-born soprano, Helen Bailey, is currently studying on the Opera course at The Royal Academy of Music, under the tutelage of Elizabeth Ritchie and Jonathan Papp. Her studies are supported by the Coutts & Co Charitable Trust, The Simon Fletcher Charitable Trust, and the D'Oyly Carte Memorial Fund.

After graduating from Liverpool John Moores University with a First class degree in English Literature and Cultural History, Helen completed two postgraduate diplomas at Trinity College of Music. Helen then studied on the Vocal Studies Masters course at The Royal Academy of Music, supported by the Simon Fletcher Charitable Trust and the Sir Richard Stapley Educational Foundation, during which time she received a distinction for the LRAM vocal teaching diploma.

Other performances/events you may enjoy:

Blackheath Sundays series of classical chamber music

Music Appreciation Classes with Matthew Taylor