Event M09: Debussy, Chopin, Shostakovitch. Sonatas for cello and piano

Pavlos Carvalho (cello) and Andrew Quartermain (piano) explore ground-breaking masterpieces all now admired for the elegance and romanticism of their lyrical melodies. However, when first performed, each was misunderstood, often being dismissed as the writings of composers not sound of mind or body.

Pavlos Carvalho has been a prizewinner in International competitions in Britain, Italy, Russia and Germany as well as working with orchestras including the London Philharmonic and Northern Sinfonia. He has been invited to play for Prince Charles at Kensington Palace and for the 70th birthday celebrations of Rostropovitch. He has performed as soloist with the Royal Philharmonic, Covent garden Chamber Orchestra and Southern Pro Musica among others. He is also one of the founding members of chamber music group, Ensemble Reza.

He has regularly performed in a variety of venues from smaller, intimate venues such as the Green Note and Vortex  to  venues such as the Purcell room, Kings Place, Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Barbican, Teatro dal Verme, and recorded for the BBC.

A big part of Pavlos’ musical life also involves outreach and education work. He has worked for groups such as Live Music Now, Pied Piper, In Harmony, Music for Life and the Trinity’s Laban’s Animate Orchestra. He gives masterclasses and workshops for the London cello society and has also been director for the National Chamber music cello courses of Pro Corda.

Pavlos has been performing regularly at the Chichester festival for the last 13 years.

Andrew Quartermain is a British concert pianist and music educator. For 17 years he was CEO and Artistic Director of Pro Corda, the National Chamber Music School. There he oversaw a huge expansion of participation, including national schools delivery and the only UK music festival dedicated to chamber music in schools. It was also where he founded the national Create Together programme for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. This series went on to serve SEND schools throughout the country. The educational possibilities for music and autism has been a particular focus of Andrews’ career.

Andrew also focuses on adult education and runs regular Piano Retreat Weekends for adult learners. He also founded the Piano Sanctuary company and brand.

He performs widely with instrumentalists from across Europe, and has a long standing association with Ensemble Reza.