Cellist Marie-Elisabeth Hecker and pianist Martin Helmchen, two of the most sought-after soloists and chamber musicians of the younger generation, are the headline soloists for the next Coast Recital Society (CRS) concert, this Sunday, Nov. 25 at 2:30 p.m.
Hecker and Helmchen will perform works by Bach, Schumann, Schubert and Beethoven.
Hecker stepped into the international spotlight when she swept all three major prizes at the prestigious 2005 Rostropovich competition in Paris. Critics have since raved about her extraordinary performances. She has performed with the Münchner Philharmoniker and Christian Thielemann, Vienna Symphony Orchestra and Fabio Luisi, Mariinsky Orchestra and Valery Gergiev. She has appeared in recitals in Amsterdam, Baden-Baden, Munich, Paris, London, Madrid, Vancouver, Verbier, and Lucerne.
Helmchen's career was launched when he won the 2001 Clara Haskil International Piano Competition at the age of 19. He was awarded a fellowship from the Borletti-Buitoni Trust in 2005, and made his American orchestral debut at Tanglewood in 2011 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Christoph von Dohnányi.
In his collaborations with orchestras worldwide, Helmchenhas worked with such renowned conductors as Sir Mark Elder, Valery Gergiev, Philippe Herreweghe and Andris Nelsons. Helmchen appears regularly at major festivals, including Schubertiade, Lockenhaus and Marlboro.
Hecker and Helmchen perform frequently as a recital duo. Recent recitals include performances at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall and in the Vancouver Recital Society concert series. Engagements later this season include concerts in Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Berlin.
While on the Coast, Hecker and Helmchen will also perform in a local seniors residence as part of the CRS artists in the community program.
For CRS tickets and information, call Stephanie Crane at 604-740-2051, or see www.coastrecitalsociety.ca.
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