For our debut concert in this extraordinary venue, Sijie Chen curates a reflective and soulful exploration of the evolving voice of the solo violin.
Beginning in the German Baroque era, we encounter the earliest known published works for solo violin - the suites by Westhoff - which likely influenced J.S. Bach’s seminal Sonatas and Partitas. From there, we journey to early 20th-century Romania to experience an evocative, folk-inspired piece by Enescu, followed by virtuosic and imaginative music from two other legendary violinist-composers - Kreisler and Ysaÿe - who affectionately dedicated these works to each other.
Programme
Georg Philipp Telemann - Fantasia for solo violin in G major, TWV 40:15
Johann Paul von Westhoff - Suite for solo violin no. 1 in A minor
J.S. Bach - Partita for solo violin no. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002
~~~ Interval ~~~
George Enescu - Airs dans le genre roumain
Fritz Kreisler - Recitativo und Scherzo-Caprice in D minor, op. 6
Eugène Ysaÿe - Sonata for solo violin no. 4 in E minor, op. 27 no. 4
~ Sijie Chen (violin) ~
The Fitzrovia Chapel is an enchanting jewel of Byzantine inspired architecture located in the heart of the Fitzrovia community. As the former chapel of the Middlesex Hospital, it is a place of meaning, memory and sanctuary for many.
The King chose the chapel as the location for his Christmas Broadcast in December 2024.
Tickets: £30/£40 (Under 30s £15) including drinks
Vermeer Season Pass available
Doors open 6.30
Duration: approx. 1 hr 45 mins (including an interval)
Sijie ‘Susie’ Chen
Chinese-born British violinist Sijie 'Susie' Chen moved to the UK when she was five years old. While studying in the UK, USA and Germany, she was a string finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition. She now enjoys performing internationally as a chamber musician and chamber orchestra principal.
Most at home in chamber music, Sijie has collaborated with artists including Nicola Benedetti, Roderick Williams, Alina Ibragimova and many other wonderful musicians and friends; at the Edinburgh International Festival, Prussia Cove Open Chamber Music, Roman River Festival and other festivals worldwide. She leads the Bloomsbury Players and is the Founder and Artistic Director of Vermeer Chamber Concerts.
Sijie is the co-leader of the London Mozart Players. She guests with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Aurora Orchestra, and on period instruments with the Academy of Ancient Music, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and La Nuova Musica.