Classical Concert and Cream Tea: Trio (violin, flute and cello)

Trio – violin, flute and cello

Tamaki Higashi – violin, Lisa Nelsen – flute, Julian Metzger – cello.   This is the first time the TRIO have played at Launde (though Lisa Nelson has played for us several times) – it promises to be a very special concert.

Tamaki Higashi (violin)
Japanese violinist Tamaki Higashi is a passionate chamber musician and the founding member of the Villiers Quartet, string quartet in residence at St Hilda’s College Oxford. The Villiers Quartet performs regularly in the UK, Europe and USA, has released a numbers of discs, and has broadcast widely on BBC Radio 3, BBC One and Netherland’s Classical Music Station. Tamaki’s chamber music career started with the Degas Quartet in the USA which toured the country, appearing at major concert halls and music festivals including Carnegie Hall, Library of Congress and Aspen Music Festival. Tamaki studied string quartet playing with members of the Juilliard, Cleveland, Takacs and Fine Arts quartets.

Tamaki genuinely enjoys all aspects and genres of musical collaboration. She has worked with such distinguished musicians as Jazz bassist Christian McBride, Indian Tabla specialist Kuljit Bhamra and many of the finest musicians in chamber music. 

Tamaki studied violin with Lewis Kaplan and Muneko Otani, and viola with Jerry Horner, graduating from Mannes College of Music, New York.

Julian Metzger (cello)
Julian Metzger has an exciting multifaceted career as a chamber musician, orchestral player, soloist and teacher. Apart from regular appearances in the United Kingdom, concerts have taken him throughout Europe and the Far East. Julian has become a sought-after chamber musician collaborating with eminent performers such as oboist Christopher Redgate, flautist Lisa Nelsen, violist Robert Secret, violinists Charles Sewart and Giovanni Guzzo and pianists Marco Fatichenti and Paul Turner to name but a few. These collaborations have taken place on concert platforms worldwide and at festivals such as the Buckingham Summer Festival, Beaminster Festival, Malcolm Arnold Festival, Musicfest Aberystwyth and the International Casals Festival in El Vendrell.

Concerto performances have included virtually the entire standard concerto repertoire in addition to lesser known works by Tartini, Monn, Bridge, Kabalevsky, Miaskovsky and Shostakovich. He now also teaches cello and coaches chamber music at the Purcell School, Kimbolton School, Warwick University and Bedford Girls’ School, in addition to teaching a small number of private students.

Lisa Nelsen (flute)
Described by The Times – London as “…a flautist and a half…”, Lisa Nelsen is internationally recognised for her versatility on the flute as a soloist, chamber and orchestra member, as well as an educator, mentor and leader in galvanising groups of musicians to work together. Lisa performed in  monthly online concerts to raise awareness for charities, including The Benslow Music Trust and Artists and Residents concerts for care homes, with her chamber ensembles Aquilae Duo (with Eleanor Turner harp) and  Enigma14 (with Julian Metzger cello and Paul Turner piano); she has given lectures and webinars on performance and motivational practice methods for both the British Flute Society and Yamaha Classical Division; From her London debut at the Purcell Room to playing premieres for BBC Radio 3, coaching the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, the National Youth Concert Band and the National Children’s Orchestra and teaching at Wells Cathedral School and Junior Guildhall School of Music, Lisa has had and continues to have a varied life as a musician.

Lisa is an Artist for Yamaha Classical Division International and plays on a 14karat 900-series flute. She has performed several times at Launde and always gives us a brilliant concert.

Classical Concerts offer the chance to hear an hour-long live concert in the company of some of the country’s leading performers, followed by a gorgeous Launde cream tea.

A Launde Abbey Fundraising Event.

Tickets £21 (or £16 for concert only). Call 01572 717254 or email info@launde.org.uk.