In the 22nd of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and introduces violinist Henry Chandler and pianist John Paul Ekins, who will perform in Wanstead this month
edbridge Music Society continues its current programme of bringing high quality musical events to the borough with a recital given by prizewinning young musicians Henry Chandler and John Paul Ekins, who will perform music by Beethoven, Schubert and César Franck.
Although still in his twenties, Henry Chandler has already performed under famous conductors such as Bernard Haitink, Leif Segerstam and Sir Roger Norrington and has played with prestigious orchestras, including the Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, English National Opera, Oxford Philomusica and European Union Chamber orchestras. He has also appeared in a masterclass with world-renowned violinist Maxim Vengerov.
Before going to university, Henry studied at the Royal College of Music (RCM) Junior Department, where he was awarded the Esther Coleman award for ‘outstanding musician’. He read music at Oxford University and followed this with the Artist Diploma Course at RCM, where he studied under violinist Professor Maciej Rakowski, who also taught Nicola Benedetti. Currently, Henry plays violin in the Alke String Quartet and leads the Zeitgeist Chamber Orchestra. In addition to playing the violin, Henry is also proficient as an organist and singer. He received his first choral training as Head Chorister, Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace at the age of 12, recording at Abbey Road Studios with the BBC symphony orchestra in a premiere of a work by Peter Maxwell Davies.
John Paul Ekins is in much demand as a concerto soloist and chamber musician and has performed at many prestigious venues in the UK and abroad, including the Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall and the Zurich Tonhalle. He graduated from RCM (first class honours) in 2009, and in 2011 obtained a Master’s of Performance Degree (Distinction) from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He made his Royal Albert Hall debut in 2013 performing Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the Southbank Sinfonia. He has won some 19 awards, scholarships and prizes and has received generous support from organisations such as Making Music and the Keyboard Charitable Trust.
Besides teaching piano at St Paul’s School, John Paul also undertakes extensive educational and outreach work via workshops and masterclasses. He was particularly honoured to be presented to HM The Queen and HRH Prince Philip at a reception for young performers at Buckingham Palace.
This event will be a very special evening of music-making.
