A sparkling, candlelit programme put together by renowned violinists Harriet Mackenzie and Philippa Mo (aka Retorica Duo) here performing a Christmas special with the Celoniatus Ensemble, that will include gems from the Baroque repertoire juxtaposed with the heat of Argentinian Tango. These acclaimed violinists, both Londoners, perform regularly around the world (they're just back from touring their duo project Retorica in China), and in this performance bring their exquisite playing to Philippa's own neighbourhood, the historic riverside neighbourhood of Rotherhithe.
Harriet Mackenzie is an internationally renowned concerto soloist and has performed across five continents. Her recordings include concertos with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra Nova and the English Symphony Orchestra and these have received international acclaim, including five stars in The Times (Richard Morrison) and 'Recording of The Month' in Music Web International: "There is a completeness, a confidence, an honesty and a consistent lyrical beauty that has moved me again and again." (Richard Hanlon). Live broadcasts include BBC Radio 3, Classic FM and Hungarian National Radio. Harriet is also an ambassador for contemporary music. She has performed many world premieres with music specifically written for her, including Robert Fokkens’ violin concerto (premiered Southbank Centre, London) and Graham Coatman’s violin concerto, (premiered Swaledale Festival) and Deborah Prichard's 'Wall of Water' violin concerto with the English Symphony Orchestra, inspired by the paintings of Maggi Hambling (premiered LSO St Luke's) and Deborah Prtichard's 'Edge' double concerto for violin and harp (premiered Aldeburgh festival with harpist Catrin Finch and the Aldeburgh Festival Orchestra). She has performed concertos and recitals in prestigious halls such as the Concertgebouw, Wigmore Hall, Budapest Marble Hall, Purcell Room and Kyiv Hall of Marble Columns. A multi-faceted virtuoso, she is also fascinated by world music styles and composes and improvises in many different styles. She made her directing debut in 2016 when she directed the London-Vienna Kammerorchester in Piazzolla/Deyatnikov 'Four Seasons of Buenos Aires' in Auditorio nacional de música, Madrid. She is a lover of chamber music and is a founder member of Kosmos Ensemble, Retorica, Karolos Ensemble and also performs with pianists Christopher Glynn, Danny Driver and guitarist Morgan Szymanski. Harriet graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with First Class honours, M.Mus and DipRAM. In 2015, she was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM). In the same year she was awarded the Richard Carne Fellowship at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music.
Philippa Mo studied at the Royal Academy of Music, London and at the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing. She now performs extensively as a chamber musician. She has given concertos and chamber performances all over Europe, including her acclaimed debut at the Wigmore Hall, recitals at the Henry Moore Institute, Leeds, St John’s, Smith Square, the Deutsches Museum, Munich, the Natural History Museum, Ulaan Bataar, when she was invited as the only British musician to participate as soloist in the International Music Festival of Contemporary Music, Mongolia in 2002. A champion of contemporary music, Philippa has given workshops on British music at the Central Conservatory, Beijing and at Bilkent and Hacettep Universities in Ankara, Turkey. She coached students of the Kurmangazy National Conservatory of Kazakhstan in Almaty 2007-09. She has worked closely with many leading British composers including David Matthews, John McCabe and Errollyn Wallen and has given premieres of their solo and violin duo works. In March 2015 Philippa premiered a new solo work by composer Jim Aitchison alongside his monumental solo work Shibboleth at CAST, Helston and at the Porthmeor studios, St Ives. She gave the world premiere of a work by Frederick Frahm for violin and organ at St George's Hanover Square in January 2016. Collaborations with other musicians include cellist Mats Lidstrom, guitarist Martin Fogel and organist Robin Walker. Philippa plays a violin by Julius Cesare Gigli from 1786. She was appointed Senior Lecture in Violin at Leeds College of Music and awarded Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2015.
Harriet founded the Celoniatus Ensemble when she was awarded the Richard Carne Fellowship at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. She hand-plucked the most talented players and the Trinity prizewinners to perform alongside her in a chamber orchestra. The members of the ensemble have won numerous national and international awards including the prestigious Soloists Competition at Trinity Laban and the Yahama Foundation of Europe String Prize. The group's sold-out debut performance of Piazzolla/Desyanikov's Four Seasons of Buenos Aires at Trinity Laban was highly acclaimed and has lead to exciting invitations at International festivals around the UK and Europe. The group has a wide ranging repertoire from innovative contemporary works that have been written for them right through to gems of the Baroque era.
There will be a cash bar.