Beethoven- Violin Sonata no.7, in c-minor, op.30, no.2

Debussy- Violin Sonata

Interval

Schumann- Violin Sonata in d-minor, op.121

Laureate of numerous National and International Competitions Ionel Manciu was born in Bender, Republic of Moldova. His first violin teachers were Tamara Caftanat and Galina Buinovschi at the Ciprian Porumbescu musical lyceum in Chisinau. He made his official debut at the age of ten with the Moldovan National Chamber Orchestra performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto in G-major.

Ionel recently completed his Artist Diploma at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under the guidance of David Takeno, with whom he has studied since 2012 on full scholarship.

Ionel performed in the most prestigious venues across the globe. Recent highlights include a recital at the Carnegie Hall as part of the Guildhall Artists in New York series, a performance of Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto Nr.1 at the Barbican Hall, a recital of all six Ysaÿe Solo Sonatas at the 1901 Arts Club as well as guest-leading the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra at the Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

He has collaborated with great artists such as Sir Simon Rattle, Richard Tognetti, Donald and Vivian Weilerstein, Levon Chilingirian, Caroline Palmer, Carole Presland and many others.

As part of the Mithras Piano Trio, Ionel is the winner of the Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition, Cavatina Chamber Music Competition, St. James’s Music Prize and the 67th Royal Over-Seas League Competition. As well as being selected as the BBC3 New Generation Artist for 2021-23, Kirckman Music Society Young Artist and Countess of Munster Young Artist.

He plays on a Gagliano violin generously loaned by the Tompkins Tate Musical Instrument Trust.

Born in Hiroshima, Japan, Ayaka Shigeno was first introduced to piano by her mother at the age of five. In September 2004 she attended the Yehudi Menuhin School in England, where she studied with Marcel Baudet and Renana Gutman. She then moved to Berlin in 2009 to study at the Berlin University of fine Arts (Universiät der Künste Berlin) with Prof. Pascal Devoyon and Rikako Murata. In November 2017 she graduated with a Diploma and Konzertexamen, the highest degree for Music in Germany.

Ayaka enjoys a varied performing career as a solo pianist and chamber musician, giving concerts in both Europe and Japan. Her solo appearances have included the Wigmore Hall (UK), Concertgebouw (Holland), Menuhin Hall (UK) and Steinwayhaus Berlin, as well as the Yehudi Menuhin Festival in Gstaad and Deia Festival in Majorca. She also regularly performs as a concerto soloist and the orchestras she has worked with include the London Mozart Players, Polish Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra and Yehudi Menuhin School Orchestra.

Since an early age, Ayaka has been a passionate chamber musician and she especially enjoys working in ensembles and duos with string players. Her love of chamber music has recently led her to play at festivals in Hiroshima and Sainte-Mere (France).

  After living and working in Berlin for many years, Ayaka moved to England shortly before the lockdown. She has taken up a teaching post at the Yehudi Menuhin School, works for Guildhall School of Music and Drama as a collaborative pianist. She performs regularly alongside her sister Tomoka as a piano duo and also as a duo partner with violinist and husband, Oscar Perks.