Twenty years after leaving Manchester, internationally acclaimed pianist Cordelia Williams returns to the city for a three-day residency at The Stoller Hall, combining solo performance, chamber music and masterclasses in a packed programme.
β Known for her poetic and deeply feeling interpretations of Schubert and Schumann, Williams has performed with the English Chamber Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and has appeared at venues including Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall and Beijing Concert Hall.
β Twenty years after leaving Manchester, internationally acclaimed pianist Cordelia Williams returns to the city for a three-day residency at The Stoller Hall, combining solo performance, chamber music and masterclasses. She brings with her a'supergroup' of some of the country's most exciting performers, including regular duo partner, violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen, and fellow Chethams alumnus, cellist Guy Johnston. Williams studied at Manchesterβs Chethams School of music from 11-18 years old.
β Cordelia Williams says of her residency: βI came of age in Manchester, studying at Chethams from the age of 11. As a person and musician I was so much shaped by the city, my time at Chethams, and the wonderful teachers I was lucky to learn from there. To come back now with friends and perform pieces that have become meaningful over the years will be like a full-circle moment. It's a special weekend for me - and I'm honoured to be asked to coach the current students at Chethams as wellβ
β Alongside her performance career, Williams is currently the recipient of an international grant allowing her to spend time exploring the deepest meanings of music at the intersection of performance and theology, focusing on joy, wildness, grace and self-surrender.
Weekend programme
Solo, Saturday 25th April:
Chopin: Mazurka in A minor op. 59 no. 1
Janacek: In the Mists
Beethoven: Six Bagatelles op. 126
INTERVAL
Schubert: Sonata in A D959
Duo, Sunday 26th April coffee concert:
Bach: Sonata in G major for violin and keyboard BWV 1019
Cage: Nocturne
Schubert: Wiegenlied, arr. Mischa Elman
Schubert: Fantasie in C D934
Chamber, Sunday 26th April evening concert:
Schubert: Arpeggione Sonata D821 (with Guy Johnston)
Schubert: Quintetin A 'Trout'
Tamsin Waley-Cohen, Gary Pomeroy, Guy Johnston, Toby Hughes, Cordelia Williams
Masterclasses
Violin, cello and chamber music with Tamsin Waley-Cohen and Guy Johnston
Viola, double bass and chamber music with Gary Pomeroy and Toby Hughes
Piano masterclasses for Chethamβs students and public pianists with Cordelia Williams
About Cordelia Williams
Cordelia Williams is a Polish-Welsh-English concert pianist with an international performing
career. Renowned for poetic, deep and emotionally powerful interpretations, she performs as a soloist, chamber musician and duo partner with violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen.
She holds a First in Theology from Cambridge and has led artistic and educational projects internationally, including work in Kenya. Her writing and performance practice are increasingly intertwined, with future projects including potential new commissions and interdisciplinary collaborations.
