Sunday 18th August at 2.30pm

Levansa Trio with Lev Sivkov (cello)

“…Lev Sivkov’s cello sound has a graininess, a density, a weight. He deploys a broad spectrum of colours and emotions, he makes his instrument sing in a rare way, his intonation is never found lacking, Yes, he is a phenomenon.” (ConcertoNet.com.)

Programme

Debussy: Sonata for violin and piano in G minor
Grieg: Andante con moto (for violin, cello & piano) in C minor
Myaskovsky:  Sonata No 2, Opus 81, for cello and piano

Beethoven: Piano Trio, Opus 97 “Archduke”

The brilliant young Russian cellist Lev Sivkov will be visiting New Zealand to play concertos with regional orchestras and while he is here will give some chamber music concerts with recently appointed Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Concertmaster Andrew Beer and the highly respected pianist Sarah Watkins. Combining their musical talents to form the Levansa Trio, they will be playing an attractive programme of works by Debussy, Grieg, Duparc and Beethoven.

Lev Sivkov has won numerous awards, most notably in 2015 when he won the prestigious Naumburg International Cello Competition, described by the New York Times as “the most prestigious of them all.”

He played his debut recital in the Weill Music Room, Carnegie Hall, in 2016. Since then he has been in demand as a recitalist and soloist and has also been appointed as Principal Cellist of the Zürich Opera.

Violinist Andrew Beer has come to New Zealand from L’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. His recent recital and chamber music appearances include Edinburgh Festival, Aspen Festival and Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall.

Sarah Watkins, well known as a member of NZTrio, has been described as a ‘national treasure’. She has enjoyed an impressive career as chamber musician, collaborative partner and recording artist.