Nicholas Oliver & Anna Menzies
(Piano + Cello)

Nicholas Oliver is particularly active in the field of chamber music and gives numerous recitals with singers and instrumentalists throughout the UK. He has taught piano at the Junior RNCM and has been Head of Piano Accompaniment at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester since 2003

Anna Menzies has performed across the UK and Europe as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and continuo player. For several years she taught at the Yehudi Menuhin School, and is now a cello teacher at Chetham’s.

Here is a PDF of the Poster for this Concert. (click to VIEW or right click to SAVE). Please feel free to print and display the brochure to help publicise this concert.

Programme (announced 12th January)

Beethoven:  Seven Variations on the theme “Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fuhlen” (from Mozart’s Die Zauberflote)
Debussy: Sonate (2 movements)
Bridge: Four pieces (Berceuse, Serenade, Elegie, Cradle Song)

INTERVAL

Martinu: Variations on a Slovakian Theme
Brahms: Sonata in F op.99 (4 movements)

Brief Report “on the night”

Around 50 people came to enjoy this very interesting concert. The two highlights (for me) were the enchanting miniatures by Bridge which closed the first half, and the exciting Sonata by Brahms which was received with thunderous applause. 

All pictures taken by Roger Evans

Press Report

The recital Anna Menzies (cello) and Nicholas Oliver (piano) gave at the Middlewich and District Concerts Society concert was extraordinary, producing a tremendous range of styles and virtuosity.

The concert began with Beethoven in playful mode, toying with a popular duet from the “Magic Flute”. The mood then changed completely. Debussy’s Sonate was austere and at times chilling, perhaps reflecting its origins during the Great War, but retaining his unique sound world. The Four Pieces by Frank Bridge (arranged by Julian Lloyd-Webber) provided an admirable antidote, providing relief, warmth and a sense of fun.

After the interval we learnt of Martinu’s somewhat wayward nature, reflected in the diversity of his Variations on a Slovakian Theme. The concert ended with the Sonata in F (Opus 99) by Brahms. This is one of the principal works in the cello / piano repertoire and received a powerful performance.

Anna and Nicholas introduced each piece in a clear and informative manner, greatly adding to the enjoyment of the recital. Once again we felt privileged to have been able to hear music of this calibre played in the heart of Cheshire.

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For more information about Anna Menzies visit her own web-site (in a new window), by clicking HERE