Description
This proposal is for a double event - one concert given by students aged 13-18 from the world-renowned Yehudi Menuhin School, and one concert given by degree-level students, staff and recent graduates from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.This project will be directed by Dr Louise Lansdown (President of the British Viola Society, Assistant Head of Strings at the RNCM and Professor of Viola at YMS), and Lucy Nolan (RNCM Viola Tutor). Louise and Lucy have curated the BVS contributions to recent congresses in Cremona, Porto and Rotterdam.
The British contribution to the viola canon is rich in both quantity and quality. We owe so much to the late, great Lionel Tertis who did so much to further the standing of the viola as a solo instrument. Tertis’ ignition of a tradition of composing for viola was so inspiring, that every piece of British viola music to this day can be somehow traced to his lineage.
We are delighted to include a piece by the Paris-born/British-based composer Héloïse Werner, who has agreed to arrange her string quartet Incantation in 4 Parts for four violas especially for the congress. The original was commissioned and premiered by Quatour Elmire in Paris in 2023 and we are proud to be able to share this new version in the city it belongs in.
The Werner will be programmed alongside other British music for viola ensemble including works by George Benjamin, Sally Beamish, Benjamin Dale and Edwin York Bowen, some familiar, and some virtually unknown.
Another item on the programme is Mosaic by Robin Ireland - former violist of the Lindsay Quartet and first Head of Chamber Music at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Mosaic was commissioned by Louise Lansdown for the 2025 Lionel Tertis and Cecil Aronowitz Viola Competition and was premiered in January 2025 at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead, conducted by the composer. We are delighted that Robin has agreed to come to Paris for the congress to direct his piece for it’s second outing.
The theme of the congress - New Horizons - Celebrating Legacy and Diversity, is one with which the British Viola Society feels a great affinity. Our delegation will be comprised of almost 30 violists - the majority of whom are students. These students come from Asia, Africa, America and Europe. Neurodiverse and disabled students will be in attendance. Our belief is that the celebration of diversity and the nurturing of students is the only way to ensure the future of our wonderful instrument.
Project's programme
Students from Yehudi Menuhin School
Benjamin Dale: Introduction and Andante for six violas 11’ Jaeyun Han, Bobbie Chen, Victoria Stolte, Shan Ga Mak, Kit Ross, Jackson Kou
Bridge: Lament and Caprice for two violas 13’ Jaeyun Han and Rodrigo Agudelo Celda
Sally Beamish: Prelude and Canon for two violas 6’ Bobbie Chen and Shan Ga Mak
Gordon Jacob: Sonatine for two violas 8’ Jackson Kou and Kit Ross
York Edwin Bowen: Fantasie for four violas 12’ Rodrigo Agudelo Celda, Bobbie Chen, Victoria Stolte, Jackson Kou
Students from Royal Northern College of Music
Héloïse Werner: Incantation in 4-parts (new commission) 8’
Sally Beamish: A Farewell for six violas 11’
George Benjamin: Viola Viola for two violas 10’
Garth Knox: Marin Marais Variations on “Folies d’Espagne” for four violas 10’
Robin Ireland: Mosaic for 16 violas 7’
| Period | 20 Jan 2026 |
|---|---|
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Paris, FranceShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |