Recital: Nigel Blomiley – cello
Julian Jacobson – piano

The Programme

Nigel Blomiley – cello
Julian Jacobson – piano

12 Variations on a theme from Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus, WoO 45

Sonata in F major for Piano and Cello, Op 5 No 1
i. Adagio sostenuto – Allegro
ii. Rondo. Allegro vivace

7 Variations on the Duet ‘Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen’ from Mozart’s Magic Flute, WoO 46

The Artists

No stranger to these concerts, Nigel Blomiley was largely self-taught. However he did study privately and performed in masterclasses with Pierre Fournier, who described his playing as ‘very musical’ and ‘creating a marvellous atmosphere’. Elsewhere, on hearing his playing, Bernard Greenhouse described him as a ‘damn fine cellist’.

He has spent a large part of his career as a Principal player in both the BBC Philharmonic and Concert Orchestras, touring widely with both groups. With the Concert Orchestra, he appeared as a featured soloist in many of the country’s major Concert Halls, for both Radio and Television. Since 2005 he has devoted most of his time to chamber music, teaching and solo work – activities which have always been part of his life. With two younger colleagues, he formed the Anern Trio in 2014.

One of Britain’s most creative and distinctive pianists, Julian Jacobson is acclaimed for the vitality, colour and insight he brings to his enormous repertoire ranging across all styles and periods. He is currently a professor of piano and chamber music at the Royal College of Music. He was Artistic Director of the Paxos International Festival in Greece from 1988 to 2004. He is also Artistic Director of ‘Rencontres Musicales à Eygalières’, and teaches regularly at Cadenza Summer School at the Purcell School, North London.

Julian has given masterclasses in Germany, Paris, Budapest (Franz Liszt Academy), Spain, Sweden, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, the Middle East and on many occasions in Dartington. He has recently added the Sprechstimme recitation role of Schoenberg’s ‘Pierrot Lunaire’ to his repertoire, giving his fourth performance of it in October 2009 in Jacqueline du Pré Hall, Oxford.