Helen Neilson


Cellist

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Helen Neilson is a freelance cellist and cello tutor based in London. She combines an active performing career with regular teaching commitments in some of London's most prestigious schools. Helen holds an MMus in Performance Studies and conducts research into the use of the body in music performance, which has attracted a number of conference invitations.

Use this site to view performance resume, details of teaching services available, an outline of academic work and to learn about music groups available for functions and weddings. Photos and biography can also be downloaded.

Forthcoming recitals:

Thursday 13th May, 1.05pm

St Mary-at-Hill Church, St Mary at Hill, Eastcheap, London, EC3R 8EE

Helen Neilson (cello) and Izabella Bako (piano) 

De Fesch: Sonata in D minor,  op. 13, no. 4

Beethoven: Sonata in G minor, op. 5, no. 2

Bridge: Scherzo and Melodie

Popper: Hungarian Rhapsody, op. 68

 

Thursday 20th May, 1.10pm

Helen Neilson (cello) and Izabella Bako (piano)

St Matthew's Church, Station Road, Redhill, RH1 1DL

Programme as above

 

Sunday 13th June 2010

**Private event - only for invited guests***   With pianist Izabella Bako

Belsize Music Rooms, Belsize Village, 3pm

De Fesch: Sonata in D minor

Popper: Mazurka in C, op. 51

Suk: Ballade

Boccherini: Rondo

Bridge: Scherzo and Melodie

 

 

Thursday 17th June, 1.05pm

A programme of unaccompanied cello repertoire.

St Mary-at-Hill Church, St Mary at Hill,  Eastcheap, London, EC3R 8EE

Britten: "Tema Sacher" for solo cello

Bach: Suite no. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008

Britten: Suite no. 1 for Solo Cello, op. 72

News:

In November 2009, Helen gave the premiere performance of Paul Barker's "Seven Dirty Sonnets" for solo cello.

Read about the work of Paul Barker

Read more about"Play, Architecture, Emotion" recital series including works by Elliott Carter, Ronald Stevenson and Busoni...

DVD reviews:

Helen was recently invited to review a series of DVDs of legendary teacher and cellist, William Pleeth, probably best known as teacher of the legendary Jacqueline du Pre, giving masterclasses to advanced students at the Britten-Pears School for Advanced Musical Studies.  These can be viewed on the Shar Publications website, from where the DVDs can be purchased directly.

Shar Publications website

Recording:

Contemporary music CD "Secret Doors" with The Daniel Hewson Project featuring pieces for various string and piano chamber combinations is now available for purchase from Amazon, or to download from itunes.

Listen to samples from "Secret Doors" for cello and piano, recorded live at Leighton House, 23rd November 2007. Helen Neilson, cello; Daniel Hewson, piano/composer.  This piece was written for Helen by the composer.  The full album includes string quartet, piano quintet and solo piano pieces.

Secret Doors 2nd mvt

Secret Doors 3rd mvt

Daniel Hewson "Secret Doors" available on Amazon

Sound samples from live recital performances:

Helen regularly gives chamber music recitals covering a wide range of musical styles, ranging from early baroque repertoire through to cutting edge contemporary music.  
Listen to some sound clips recorded live in recent recitals:

Martinu Variations on a Slovakian Theme, Var 5
Helen Neilson, cello and John Paul Gandy, piano  

Martinu Slovak Variations clip

Chopin Polonaise Brilliante
Helen Neilson, cello; John Paul Gandy, Piano  

Chopin Polonaise Brilliante clip

Ligeti Solo Sonata: Dialogo; Capriccio   

Ligeti Solo Sonata First mvt clip

Ligeti Solo Sonata, Second Movement

With thanks to Richard Carruthers at music-chamber.com for all recordings.  

Connect to music-chamber website

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Helen Neilson Tel. no: 07939 278 484; Diary (MAS): 01306 500011; Email: helen@helenelizabethneilson.com