SVYATI DUO

Rebecca Hepplewhite cello Julian Collings organ

‘The performances are exemplary’ Fanfare Magazine

Dieterich Buxtehude Sonata in D major

J S Bach Vater unser im Himmelreich

Russell Hepplewhite Smoke Signals

Max Bruch Kol Nidrei

Iain Farrington Blue Grooves

Joseph Rheinberger Abendlied

Marcel Dupré Sonata in A minor

_______________________________________

Zsolt Gardonyi Variations on a Hungarian Chorale

J S Bach O mensch bewein

Eric Sweeney Autumn Music

Joseph Jongen Humoresque

William Lloyd Webber Benedictus

David Bednall Sonata for violoncello & organ

_________________________________________

Kurt Wiklander Fantasia

J S Bach An Wasserflüssen Babylon

Dieterich Buxtehude Praeludium in F

Edward Elgar Adagio from Cello Concerto

Sofia Gubaidulina In croce

Joseph Rheinberger Three Pieces Op. 150

SAMPLE PROGRAMMES

Information for Promoters

SVYATI DUO TOURS ARE DESIGNED TO BE PROMOTER FRIENDLY AND COST EFFECTIVE

To that end the following efficiencies and incentives are offered:

Accessible presentation style

Tailored concert programmes

Transparent fee structure and no US artistic agency fees

Visas and work permits arranged in good time

Full contracts issued

Programmes

‘SVYATI DUO HAS A FASCINATING AND VARIED REPERTOIRE’ Paul Dixon (Presenter – St Petersburg College, FL, USA)

Svyati Duo have built up a substantial repertoire of both original works and tran-

scriptions. They tailor all their concert programmes to the space in which they are

performing, the organ and the audience. This enables them to perform successfully

in a wide variety of venues from small rural churches to major international concert

halls and universities.

Svyati Duo have been regular visitors to the United States since 2010 and currently

undertake at least one major tour every year. Their unique instrumental

combination has captivated audiences all over the country where they have

performed in over twenty states.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Masterclasses ENSEMBLES Svyati Duo invites existing duos or trios to perform one or two pieces, and helps them discover new ways of making the most of the music, their instrumental combination, the organ and the acoustic. ORGANISTS Svyati Duo sends a selection of works from their standard repertoire. From this list organ students may select two contrasting pieces, which they will learn in advance to play with Rebecca in the masterclass. Julian will then offer ideas on how best to execute these pieces and will coach the organist specifically on finding appropriate registrations and showing how to manage the possible difficulties of sound delay, distance and balance. CELLISTS Svyati Duo offers public masterclasses to cellists of all ages and standards. Each cellist may bring one pre-prepared piece for solo cello or cello and piano, and Rebecca will then help the student find a wider kaleidoscope of musical ideas while Julian provides the piano accompaniment. The masterclass will culminate in a cello ensemble piece, with all cellists taking part in a performance of one of Rebecca's arrangements.

Concerts for Children Svyati Duo can tailor an interactive concert to suit a young audience of any age between 4 and 18 years. In these concerts Rebecca and Julian offer a varied and appealing programme designed to excite their young audiences, whilst giving an informative background to their instruments and the music, demonstrating fascinating sounds and effects.

Lecture Recitals Svyati Duo offers talks before or after their concerts giving insight into the music they are performing. This gives the audience the opportunity to learn more about them, their instruments, the composers and the unusual repertoire which they perform.

TESTIMONIALS

‘We experienced a perfect blend of musicality and musical interpretation by two extraordinary performers in a consummate presentation of compositions. In addition to their technical proficiency, the kindness and warmth of their personalities shine through their performances.’ Lee Afdahl (Presenter - First Presbyterian Church, Rochester, MN, USA) 'Thank you for your wonderful concert here last spring. You are absolutely delightful people and your performance at Westminster was brilliant! The Gubaidulina was especially powerful and riveting.' Al Fedak (Presenter - Westminster Presbyterian Church, Albany, NY, USA) 'The Svyati Duo appeared on the Tuesday's Music Live in Augusta, Georgia, the country's largest luncheon concert series. More than 400 people gave the Duo a well-deserved standing ovation for a spectacular performance. Ms. Hewes cello technique was incredible and what a great combination with the organ which was skilfully managed by Julian Collings. We enjoyed their concert tremendously and look forward to a return engagement.' Keith Shafer (Artistic Director, Tuesday's Music Live Inc, Augusta, GA, USA) ‘Clever and dynamic in both personality and presentation, the artists of Svyati brought much pleasure to our Sunday afternoon audience, which was wooed and wowed by the unique combination of tones from both musicians. They WILL be invited to return!’ Dennis McCleary (Presenter - Vineville United Methodist Church, Macon, GA, USA) 'A kaleidoscope of colours and styles: they played with confidence and panache, connecting immediately with the audience.' John Fenstermaker (Presenter - Bower Chapel, Moorings Park, Naples, FL, USA) ‘Julian and Rebecca are consummate artists in their own right that have come together to make music on two of the loveliest instruments ever created. The results are sublime and transcending - the Amarillo audience loved the entire evening. I would call it extraordinary.’ Margaret Lacy (Artistic Director - FASO, Amarillo, TX, USA) ‘The Syvati Duo program and performance in February exceeded every expectation, and the live acoustic and the setting of St. John’s gave their program a mystical, transcendent quality, transcending time and place in every way.’ (Denver Drawknob - AGO Chapter Newsletter) ‘Rebecca Hewes' and Julian Collings' performance as Svyati Duo has been a real highlight of the 2012-13 season at Denver Cathedral. Julian's organ registration was masterful, finding color and power without overwhelming Rebecca's singing cello. His technique was flawless. The sound of Rebecca's cello was as mesmerizing as its player who commanded our aural attention through the sheer beauty of her playing. In addition, they are personally delightful and communicated exceedingly well with the audience.’ Stephen Tappe (Presenter - St John's Cathedral, Denver, CO, USA)

‘The blend is a natural...played with fervor and taste’ American Record Guide

Since forming Svyati Duo in 2009 under the patronage of Sir John Tavener, Rebecca Hepplewhite and Julian Collings have gained international critical acclaim for their concert performances and recordings. Their concert engagements continue to take them throughout Europe, Asia and the USA, with performances in major venues including St Paul's Cathedral, Tokyo University and Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Rebecca and Julian maintain a diverse and exciting repertoire, from Baroque sonatas through to romantic and contemporary works, and they are committed to performing music that displays the beauty and diversity of their unique instrumental combination. Through their tireless search for repertoire they have discovered many unjustly neglected masterpieces, a number of which they have now recorded for Regent Records. They are also passionately committed to contemporary music and have commissioned many new works from leading composers. ‘excellent in all the many styles they portray, from gentle lyricism to kooky sound effects’ American Record Guide

BIOGRAPHY

LISTEN TO SVYATI DUO

www.soundcloud.com/svyatiduo

Rebecca performs extensively throughout the UK and abroad as a soloist and chamber musician. Born in Yorkshire, she studied at Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, graduating in 2005 with first-class honours and a graduation prize. Her teachers have included Hannah Roberts, David Smith, and Jennifer Ward-Clarke (baroque cello). Rebecca has since appeared in numerous international chamber music festivals and concert series’ at venues including the Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Purcell Room and Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and is in continuing demand to perform many of the major cello concerto works across Europe. In addition to her schedule with Svyati Duo, Rebecca regularly plays with a number of distinguished chamber ensembles, with whom she has been the recipient of numerous awards, and has appeared as a featured artist for the Park Lane Group, Concordia Foundation, Indaba New Music Festival (South Africa) and the Tunnell Trust. ‘effortlessly elegant’ The Strad ‘a sumptuous mahogany tone’ Fanfare Magazine

REBECCA HEPPLEWHITE

WATCH SVYATI DUO

www.youtube.com/user/svyatiduo

Julian was educated as an organ scholar at Tonbridge School in Kent, before winning an organ scholarship to Christ’s College, Cambridge in 1999 where his teachers included Thomas Trotter and David Sanger. He is currently Organist and Director of Music at St Cyprian's Church, Clarence Gate in London, a post which he combines with a busy international concert schedule. Much in demand as both an organist and conductor, Jul-ian appears throughout Europe and further afield with a number of prestigious choral ensembles. Recent appearances have included Lincoln Cathedral and York Minster in addition to concert tours in Spain, France, Germany, Estonia, Hong Kong and the USA. He has a number of critically acclaimed recordings to his name and has appeared on numerous occasions for BBC radio and television. ‘an excellent ear for apt choices of registrations and stops’ Fanfare Magazine ‘an excellent organist...beautifully accomplished’ International Record Review

JULIAN COLLINGS

CONTACT DETAILS

Tel +44 7748 655678 Email jmcollings@gmail.com Web www.svyatiduo.com

@svyatiduo

www.facebook.com/svyatiduo