Ben Michaels - solo cello

#music+art classical series 2023

Presented by: The Green Man Gallery

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0	BUXTON: The Green Man Gallery
P	Sunday 12th November, 2023
N	6:30pm

Event information

#music+art presents Ben Michaels, an exciting young cellist with a particular interest in commissioning and supporting new works Ben exwritten for solo cello. He recently won the Keith Harvey Award presented by the London Cello Society.

In this recital of music for cello by cellists, including works by the legendary Mitslav Rostropovich and today's stars, Zoe Martlew and Thomas Demenga, Ben explores the full expression of this soulful instrument through the eyes of those who know it best.

An hour of sublime cello music, demonstrating extended techniques and different voice, followed by a with a short Q&A.

Programme:
Thomas Demenga (Efeu)
Jean-Louis Duport (Etude No.8)
Mstislav Rostropovich (Moderato)
Kit Downes (Kasei Valles)
Zoë Martlew (Inila)
Colin Alexander (Towards the Flame)

Ben Michaels is a British cellist based in London. He began learning cello with his father, Joel Michaels, and later studied with Felix Schmidt and John Myerscough at the Royal Academy of Music. He is passionate about chamber and contemporary music and was a founding member of the Hill Quartet, with whom he was a Chamber Fellow at the Academy 2020-22.

Ben enjoys a varied chamber recital schedule alongside solo performing; he has a particular interest in commissioning and supporting new works written for solo cello. In 2022 he was awarded the inaugural Keith Harvey Memorial Award by the London Cello Society, which will support the commission of a set of 6 short solo works written by a selection of cellist-composers. In addition to these personal projects, he regularly performs with various chamber and symphony orchestras around the UK, on both baroque and modern cellos.

At the Academy, Ben was awarded the Alexander Kelly, Lesley Alexander and Sir John Barbirolli Memorial Awards in recognition of his achievements during his degrees. His studies were made possible by generous support from The Countess of Munster Musical Trust (Derek Butler Award), Help Musicians UK (Ian Fleming Award), The Janatha Stubbs Foundation, The Craxton Memorial Trust, The Emanuel Hurwitz Chamber Music Trust, The VCT Trust, The ACH Crisford Charitable Trust, The Peter Adams Trust and The Tom Cocklin Memorial Trust.

Ben plays on a Gaetano Gadda cello, generously provided on loan by an anonymous benefactor.

Before exploring his passion for music, Ben studied Biochemistry at Clare College, Cambridge.

Doors 6.30pm for 7pm start. A one-hour recital followed by informal Q & A.

NB: The venue is accessible by wheelchair however there is currently no adapted toilet cubicle. Please email hello@thegreenmangallery.com to reserve a wheelchair space or to discuss any other access needs.