Schubert & Strauss with Abdiel piano & Newman violin at the Independent Theatre Sydney

SCHUBERT'S 'GRAND DUO' AND THE STRAUSS VIOLIN SONATA

Calvin was dubbed by The Australian as the ‘Piano Man’ and noted for his ‘extraordinary pianistic authority’ when he was just 20.

Cedar's playing has been described as 'breathtakingly virtuosic' (H.Muse City News) with a 'capacity for humility and generosity.' ( F.Gould Illawarra Mercury). 

PROGRAM

Schubert composed his 'Grand Duo' for violin and piano at 20 - during the dawn of the Romantic period. Strauss composed his magnificent Sonata for Violin and Piano at 23 - during its twilight.  Passionate, colourful and rich with beautiful melodies, these works are brought to life by internationally celebrated pianist Calvin Abdiel, 22, and violinist Cedar Newman, 20, a President's Scholarship student at the  Manhattan School of Music New York.  A Haydn solo sonata for piano shares a musical language with Schubert, while a Ysaÿe solo sonata for violin moves the music into the twentieth century with echoes of Bach and the Baroque. 

Franz Schubert Violin and Piano Sonata No. 4 ‘Grand Duo in A major, Op. posth. 162, D 574

I.Allegro moderato II. Scherzo: presto III. Andantino IV.Allegro vivace 

Joseph Haydn Sonata in C major Hob.XVI:35 ,36

I. Allegro con brio II. Adagio III. Finale: Allegro 

Interval

Eugène-Auguste Ysaÿe, Sonata No.5 for Solo Violin ‘Aurora and Rustic Dance’

Richard Strauss, Sonata for Violin and Piano in E-Flat Major, Op. 18 (1887–88)

I.  Allegro, ma non troppo II. Improvisation: Andante cantabile III. Finale: Andante – Allegro

Indonesian/Australian pianist Calvin Abdiel was dubbed by The Australian as the ‘Piano Man’ and noted for his ‘extraordinary pianistic authority’ when he was just 20. In 2021, as the youngest competitor, he won The George Frederick Boyle Third Prize in the Sydney International Piano Competition in 2021 -  the only Australian to reach the grand final in over 20 years. Competition successes have led to high-profile solo performances in Australia, Austria, Russia, Indonesia, Germany, Denmark, and Switzerland. Having received his Bachelor of Music (Performance) degree with First Class from the Sydney Conservatorium under Natalia Ricci, he is currently completing his Master of Arts degree with Prof. Eldar Nebolsin at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler with the assistance of a DAAD Postgraduate Music Scholarship and a SCM George and Margaret Henderson Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship.

Cedar Newman's passion for violin took her to New York at thirteen to study with legendary Russian violinist Albert Markov, who opened her eyes to the art of violin performance, a journey that continues under Professor Lucie Robert at the Manhattan School of Music. As an accomplished pianist, Cedar is naturally drawn to the repertoire for violin and piano, which allows for rich musical dialogue. She has performed recitals in Australia, the United States and Europe. Her captivating performances display 'breathtakingly virtuosic' (Helen Muse City News, March 2023)  and 'a capacity for humility and generosity.' ( Francis Gould, Illawarra Mercury, August 2023). 

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we perform, the Cammeraygal people of the Eora nation. We pay our respect to Elders, past, present, and emerging, whose culture and customs have nurtured and sustained the land on which we perform.