An Odyssey of Romance June 8

Mendelssohn Cello Sonata and other much-loved works.

Jack Theakston | cello & organ with John Martin | piano

Felix Mendelssohn, Sonata no 1 in B flat major op.45

I. Allegro vivace, II. Andante, III. Allegro assai

Robert Schumann, Romances Op. 94

I. Nicht schnell (not fast) II. Einfach, innig (simple, heartfelt) III. Nicht schnell

Gaspar Cassadó, Suite for Solo Cello

I. Preludio-Fantasia - a Zarabanda II. Sardana III. Intermezzo e Danza Finale - a Jota

Niccolò Paganini, Variazioni di Bravura Variations on one string on a theme by Rossini

Jack Theakston, 16, is a scholarship student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Rising Stars Program studying cello with Susan Blake and organ with Philip Swanton. He is the Principal Cellist of the Hills Shire Symphony Orchestra and performs on Galston Uniting’s historic pipe organ. He has been a member of The Australian Youth Orchestra since 2019 and has obtained national and international success in piano, organ and cello competitions.

John MARTIN [piano] by the age of six was playing complex piano compositions by ear and at 15, won an encouragement award for performing a Chopin Impromptu and The Prelude in C# Minor> by Rachmaninov on national television’s “New Faces”. He is one of Australia’s most diverse, sensitive, award-winning pianists. From his early days in Mudgee, John has been playing professionally for twenty-five years; from recitals, ensembles, classical concerts through to jazz, popular music and cabaret. His warm, vibrant personality and eclectic performance skills are legendary; comfortably embracing live radio broadcasts, he has become a regularly featured artist on Classic FM’s Breakfast, Drive and Thursday Live programs. An intricate part of John’s professional career has also seen him accompanying and mentoring graduating vocalists, wind, brass and string instrumentalists through their public examination recitals and assessments. As the recipient of two prestigious overseas study grants awarded by The Music Board of Australia and Australia’s Opera Foundation, John studied and worked in London under the tutelage of two world-renowned pianists, Clifford Benson and Paul Hamburger, strengthening his accompanist skills with both vocal and instrumental ensembles.