TWO RISING world class musicians starred at a Saddleworth Chamber Concerts Society last month.
Cellist Laura van der Heijden and pianist Mana Oguchi performed an adventurous programme including Beethoven variations, a suite in the baroque style by Schnittke and sonatas by Benjamin Britten and Brahms.
Over the years the society has promoted a number of world class classical performers, many early in their careers – and Laura and Mana are no exception.
Laura, who is English born with a Dutch father and Swiss mother, sprang into national prominence when she won the 2012 BBC Young Musician of the Year at the age of 15.
Her musical talent blossomed from the age of four, by ten she had achieved Grade 8 in cello and piano, and she gave her first performance with orchestra at the age of nine.
She joined the Royal College of Music and now gives recitals and plays with various orchestraswhile at school and pursuing her musical studies with renowned British-Russian cellist Leonid Gorokhov.
Meanwhile, Mana, who also plays with Gorokhov, was born in Japan, studied piano from the age of three and graduated top of her year from the State Academy of Fine Arts in Tokyo.
She is highly valued as both a soloist and chamber musician, and has performed in Japan and throughout Europe.
For further information about Saddleworth Chamber Concerts and their future events visit their website: www.saddleworthchamberconcerts.org.uk or contact: John Gillespie 01457 872986 or Roger Hinchliffe 01457 874047.
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