Louise King
Music inspired by hope, war, peace, love and resistance. At its centre is the slow, exquisite movement from Rachmaninov’s magnificent cello sonata to celebrate the 150th anniversary of his birth (1873–1943). Short, evocative works by Arensky, Gliere, Scriabin and Shostakovich stir the emotions and complement Rachmaninov’s music.
Modern contemporary songs inspired by war protest and resistance by Sting, and John Lennon arranged for cello and piano are nestled between the classical works.
Short works inspired by hope and peace by living composers Nat Bartsch (Melbourne/Naarm), Catherine Lukhata (Ukraine/Brisbane) and Elena Kats-Chernin (Sydney/Uzbekistan) uplift and complement the theme.
Louise King – cello
Hailed by The Australian as a ‘spell-binding musician who exudes a vigorous artistry’, English-trained and Australian-made cellist Louise King is an independent portfolio musician, a recording, concert and accredited teaching artist and an ABC Classics recording artist.
Her artistic practice embodies innovation, community practice and bold exploration. Revered for her ‘delicious embellishments and tonal subtleties, telling clarity and incisiveness’, Louise’s vivid and imaginative performance style exudes freshness and a relish for musical story-telling.
Dr Roger Longjie Cui – piano
Cui is a prestigious soloist who has performed in major international piano competitions in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Germany. A prodigious talent, Roger won second prize at the prestigious Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition at the age of 18.
Roger is principal pianist at Queensland Ballet, assistant lecturer at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, a Yamaha Music Europe GmbH sponsored artist and a Kayserburg Pianos USA sponsored artist.
As of 2022, Roger is the ‘head of piano’ at the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium. He wishes to initiate many new musical programs like the Academy of Piano Performance.
This program is made possible by the funding of Music in the Regions – a newly formed, independent touring organisation connecting classical musicians with regional audiences across New South Wales.
This concert is on Sunday 30 July, 3pm at the Byron Theatre –www.byroncentre.com.au/theatre-event-categories/music.
