'A class act.'

The Sunday Times

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Clara Rodríguez is often described as an ambassador of Latin-American piano music, and she began championing women composers such as Teresa Carreño and Modesta Bor years before it became fashionable to do so. Tonight’s programme features works either penned or arranged by women, including beloved popular Latin American standards by female Latin American icons such as Violeta Parra and Chabuca Granda, alongside classical pieces such as the celebrated Danzon No. 2, and the UK premiere of Élegos by fellow Venezuelan, Diana Arismendi. As special guests, she introduces rising stars Nina Rivas on the cello, and Leonardo Muller-Rodriguez (AKA Manukapp) on electric bass.

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Maria Luisa Escobar Noche de luna en Altamira
Modesta Bor Juangriego | Fuga No. 1
Teresa Carreño La corbeille de fleurs | Sailing in the Twilight

Arturo Márquez Danzón No. 2 (arr. L. Gómez-Tagle)
Luisa Elena Paesano Pajarillo

Diana Arismendi Élegos (UK premiere)

Violeta Parra Gracias a la vida (free variations arr. by Federico Ruiz; London premiere)

Chabuca Granda La flor de la canela (arr. Federico
Ruiz)

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Clara Rodríguez piano
Nina Rivas cello
Leonardo Muller-Rodríguez electric bass

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Venezuelan pianist Clara Rodríguez made her debut at age 17 performing with the SBO, conducted by José Antonio Abreu, before winning a Teresa Carreño scholarship to study at the RCM, where she went on to win multiple prizes - and where she now part of the professorial staff. Her playing stands out for its beauty of tone, high expressiveness, sensitivity, considerable digital clarity and stylistic acumen. Clara regularly performs internationally and across the UK's major venues, as well as on BBC radio. Described by Radio 3 as 'the undisputed champion of Venezuelan piano music', she has built an enviable international reputation for her innovative programming, juxtaposing standard repertoire with works by South American composers, and premiering over two dozen works.

 

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Nina Rivas is also of Venezuelan heritage. She began her cello studies aged 7 with her father, continuing at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester and the RCM in London with full scholarship, under the tutelage of Richard Lester. At the age of at 18 she led Chethams' CSO Orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall and in 2018 won the Upper Mill Young Musician of the Year competition, leading to an invitation to perform Elgar's cello concerto with the Oldham Symphony Orchestra. She was recently a semi-finalist at the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition and is supported by the Wall Trust Award.

 

Leonardo Muller-Rodríguez (AKA Manukapp) was born in London to French and Venezuelan parents. He graduated from Ravensbourne University with a First Class degree in Music Production for Media, followed by a Master's in Neuroscience and Neuroimaging at King's College London. As a bassist and composer, public performances include concerts at London's Cadogan Hall, and Southbank Centre's Purcell Room, sharing the stage with legendary French musician Michael Legrand, singer Jean-Jacques Goldman, and his mum, pianist Clara Rodríguez. 

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PLUS Ticket includes a complimentary glass of wine

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Organised by ILAMS as part of Echoes Festival 2022 in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes