CELLO RECITAL - Michael Kevin Jones with special guest Nicolene Gibbons (piano)

CELLO RECITAL

Michael Kevin Jones

With guest artist Nicolene Gibbons (piano)

A magical evening of music awaits with world-renowned British cellist Michael Kevin Jones, joined by acclaimed South African pianist Nicolene Gibbons.

A magical evening with British cellist Michael Jones! His masterful Bach interpretations and a dazzling performance of Rodrigo’s Fantasy for Solo Cello captivated the audience! With his warmth, humour, and artistry, Jones turned a solo recital into an unforgettable musical journey! – Artsmart

The English cellist Michael Kevin Jones, born in London, studied Piano and Cello Performance at the Royal College of Music. During his time there, he was invited to perform for the Royal Family and awarded a German government scholarship to continue his studies in Cologne. From 1987, he furthered his training at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf, studying with Pauline Ballard, Dulce Haigh Marshall, Michael Evans, Joan Dickson, and Johannes Goritzki.

Jones has since established himself as a distinctive voice among today’s performers. Appointed as solo cellist soon after his studies, he toured internationally with leading ensembles. His career has followed an unconventional and wide-ranging path, combining performance, recording, and innovative projects, alongside a deep commitment to teaching and coaching.

As a member of the acclaimed Jones Maruri Cello–Guitar Duo, he achieved his first top ten CD in Hong Kong and China with Original Music for Cello and Guitar. As a soloist, his recording of the complete J.S. Bach Cello Suites (BWV 1007–1012) - performed on a 1667 Stradivarius cello for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York - has received international critical acclaim and multiple audio awards.

Recent highlights include solo tours in South Africa, Canada, and Europe (2018–2019). He currently resides in Madrid, Spain.

Pianist Nicolene Gibbons will be accompanying Michael. She started piano lessons with Catharina Struthers and was taught composition by Prof Johann Potgieter at the UFS. From an early age Nicolene performedon radio and television. She obtained her BAMus degree cum laude under the tutelage of Nettie Immelman. In the same year she was awarded overseas study scholarships from UNISA, SAMRO and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. An honoursdegree followed at UCT, with Lamar Crowson. A two-year study period at the Royal College of Music in London led to an MMus. Nicolene also holds an MPhil in Composition (University of Cambridge). She has worked for 30 years in the UK as pianist, composer, teacher and accompanist. She returned to South Africa seven years ago and is currently a lecturer in piano at the Odeion School of Music.

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS:

Grace Tin-Yen Christus

The dragon and the Phoenix. SA premiere

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)

Courante and Sarabande in D minor

Joaquín Rodrigo (1901 – 1999)

Como una fantasía

Vivaldi (1678 – 1741)

Sonata No. 5 in E minor

Max Bruch (1838 – 1920)

Kol Nidrei

Van Goens (1858 – 1904)

Scherzo

Beethoven (1770 – 1827)

Sonata Op. 5 No. 1 in F major

ADMISSION:

R100 (adults)

R50 (pensioners, students and learners)

Tickets available at Quicket