In the 48th of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and introduces David Silkoff and Margaret Macham, who will be giving a piano duo recital in Wanstead this month
Two essential aims of Redbridge Music Society are to bring high-quality, live recitals to Redbridge and to champion musicians who live or work within or near the borough. This month, at Wanstead Library, pianist Margaret Macham and local pianist David Silkoff will perform duo arrangements of music by Bach (chorale preludes including Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring), Dvorak (Slavonic dances), Ravel and Mozart; solo piano items will also be included.
David Silkoff studied piano with Lina Collins, a pupil of Mathilde Verne, who was a former pupil of Clara Schumann. He studied at the Royal College of Music under concert pianists Kendall Taylor and Cyril Smith, during which time he won a Martin Scholarship for those with exceptional musical talent. Later, he studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where he won the Lloyd Hartley prize.
His Wigmore Hall debut in 1975 was highly praised for his glowing technique and sensitive playing, and Benjamin Britten, on hearing David play Beethoven’s 3rd Piano Concerto, described his playing as “electrifying.” David has performed at many London concert venues, including the Southbank Centre, and hasperformed as a soloist and accompanist across Europe.
David has a very wide repertoire, ranging from baroque to contemporary classical and popular music. He entertains for corporate events and has played at many top London venues, including the Ritz Hotel and the Guildhall. He is highly sought after as a chamber accompanist, for auditions and for piano examinations. He also pursues a busy teaching career.
Margaret Macham began playing the piano at the age of six. Later, she was awarded the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Gold Medal for Grade 7 piano, gaining the highest examination mark across all instruments in the UK.
Margaret won a Foundation Scholarship to the Royal College of Music studying under the renowned pianists and teachers Kendall Taylor, Bernard Roberts and Peter Wallfisch. At the Royal College of Music, she was a prize-winning student and performed regularly as a soloist and in chamber music ensembles. She has performed at Wigmore Hall, the Purcell Room, Blackheath Concert Hall, St James Piccadilly, Leeds Castle in Kent, the Holywell Room in Oxford and other major venues in the South East of England.
Please do come along and join us for this very special evening of piano duo music-making!
The recital will take place at Wanstead Library on 11 November from 8pm (tickets on the door; visitors: £12; members: £9). Call 07380 606 767. Redbridge Music Society is affiliated to Making Music.
