Ivelina Ivanova and Weng Soon Tee perform Mozart and Debussy violin sonatas
A recital taking us from the balanced classicism of 18th century Vienna to the Impressionism of early 20th century France.
Ivelina and Weng’s recital takes us from the balanced classicism of 18th century Vienna to the Impressionism of early 20th century France. From Mozart’s slow introduction that was first performed from a blank page for Emperor Joseph II to Debussy’s jazz and folk motifs celebrating French nationalism in times of war, the two sonatas portray the beautiful relationship between the violin and the piano. We invite you to join us on this musical journey, celebrating that partnership of equals which transcends centuries, styles and circumstance.
Ivelina Ivanova, violin
Ivelina Ivanova is a Bulgarian-born violinist, currently based in London. She began playing the violin at the age of ten in the class of prof. Yulia Angelova in the National School of Music “L. Pipkov”, Sofia. As a student, she performed at concerts and recitals around Bulgaria and was granted a maestro violin in 2013 by the “Fire of Orpheus” Foundation. In 2017, Ivelina was awarded an annual scholarship provided by the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture for her achievements in the Fourth National Harmony Competition “Prof. Parashkev Hadjiev”, Sofia. She graduated from the National School of Music in 2018 with special honours.
Over the years, Ivelina has participated in multiple international masterclasses with professors such as Dora Schwarzberg (Israel), Kevork Mardirossian (USA), Andras Keller (Hungary), Anton and Teodora Sorokov (Austria), Stefan Kamilarov (Austria), Dimitar Burov (UK), Krzysztof Smietana (UK, Poland) and Micho Dimitrov (Bulgaria). Furthermore, she has enjoyed working in orchestral projects with inspiring professionals such as Michael Tilson Thomas (USA), Roberto Gonzales- Mojas (Spain, Switzerland), Natalie Murray Beale (UK) and Jessica Cottis (Australia).
Ivelina obtained her bachelor’s degree from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2022 and has been a proud recipient of generous annual scholarships from the school since 2018. She is currently a final- year master student at the Guildhall School, in the class of prof. Levon Chilingirian.
Weng Soon Tee
Weng Soon Tee is a Malaysian-born pianist. He is a graduate and scholar from both the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Weng regularly performs as a chamber musician, orchestral pianist, song accompanist as well as a solo concert pianist. His most recent engagements include performing Schubert Trout Quintet in Cambridge with his group Ensemble Pensiero, participating in masterclasses given by Mark Padmore, Hakan Hardenberger and Sir Thomas Allen and performing in St Martin-in-the-Fields with baritone Jonathan Eyers.
Other notable engagements and highlights include performing Debussy songs in the Barbican Hall, performing in chamber music recitals at the Torroella Fringe Festival and at the Esplanade in Singapore, attending the IMS Prussia Cove course working with Thomas Ades and Gidon Kremer, and performing as a concerto soloist with the Southern Sinfonia under the baton of Simon Chalk.
Achievements include a Concert Recital Diploma from Guildhall (2021), winning the Watford International Piano Competition (2017) and the Else Cross Contemporary Prize at his final undergraduate year (2018). He was praised by the judges for 'representing the music in such a sincere and understated way' and for being 'a pianist of exceptional imagination'. Weng has also been repeatedly commended for his tone, colour and the ability to engage his audience members through beautiful sounds.
Weng is currently working at the Guildhall School as a Professional Freelance Accompanist and also an Oxford Song Young Artist for 2024-2025.
Dates for the next few concerts are: 21 June, 19 July and 16 August
Free Friday Lunchtime Recitals at St Mary’s have been made possible by a generous legacy left by Denise Antenen.