Programme:
César Franck – Sonata in A major for Violin and Piano
Sergei Rachmaninov – Vocalise for cello and piano
Bedřich Smetana – Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 15

Musicians:
Rhys Watkins – Violin
Rowena Calvert – Cello
Yusuke Osada – Piano

R2VIOLINCELLO

Former London Symphony Orchestra violinist Rhys Watkins and International award winning cellist Rowena Calvert have performed throughout the world with musicians such as Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney, Queen, Elton John, Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, Shirley Bassey, Annie Lennox, Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Tony Bennett, and Phil Collins.

They have worked with directors such as Guillermo del Toro, George Clooney, and Sir Kenneth Branagh and on film scores including Harry Potter, Star Wars, Thor, The Avengers, Twilight: New Moon, Mission Impossible, The Imitation Game, Zero Dark Thirty, Cinderella, The Shape of Water, The King’s Speech, Brave, The Golden Compass and many more.

It was this connection with epic film scores that inspired R2ViolinCello to recreate the genre with violin, cello and electronic sound design. Their performances are fresh and exhilarating as they wanted to present the duo to the world in a fresh and new way. Their debut EP was hailed by critics as ‘The Next New Crossover Phenomenon” and “Playlist Gold”, it was featured in ‘The STRAD’ Magasine and has inspired multiple new projects and collaborations which they are currently working on.

RHYS WATKINS – Violin

Welsh violinist Rhys Watkins has forged an international career as a distinguished soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral leader, known for his expressive artistry and versatility across genres.

A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2005, Rhys joined the first violin section of the London Symphony Orchestra in 2009. Since then, he has performed in many of the world’s leading concert halls and represented the LSO at high-profile cultural events and recitals in embassies across Beijing, Tokyo, New York, and throughout Europe.

In high demand as a studio musician, Rhys has recorded extensively at London’s Abbey Road and Air Lyndhurst Studios. His violin playing can be heard on the soundtracks of numerous major film productions, including Harry Potter, Star Wars, Thor, The Avengers, Twilight: New Moon, The Imitation Game, Zero Dark Thirty, Cinderella, The Shape of Water, The King’s Speech, Brave, and The Golden Compass, among many others. His collaborations have brought him into creative partnerships with acclaimed directors such as Guillermo del Toro, George Clooney, and Sir Kenneth Branagh.

As a soloist and competition laureate, Rhys has been a finalist and prize-winner in several prestigious international violin competitions, including the Jeunesses Musicales International Violin Competition (Belgrade) and the Paganini International Violin Competition (Moscow).

He is also a core member of the award-winning Artea String Quartet, known for its compelling interpretations and critically acclaimed recordings. The quartet has performed at celebrated venues such as Wigmore Hall, the Purcell Room, and the BBC Proms, with numerous live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. Their recordings of Mendelssohn and Schubert quartets on the Champs Hill label have received widespread acclaim.

Equally at home in the world of popular music, Rhys has shared the stage with some of the most iconic artists of our time, including Sir Paul McCartney, Queen, Elton John, Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, Shirley Bassey, Annie Lennox, Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Tony Bennett, and Phil Collins.

ROWENA CALVERT – Cello

British cellist Rowena Calvert has emerged as a dynamic ambassador for the next generation of cellists, captivating audiences across the globe with her artistry, versatility, and passion for performance.

Renowned for her solo work and innovative collaborations, Rowena has performed at many of the world’s most iconic venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall, Queen’s Hall, Royal Festival Hall, and regularly appears on BBC Radio 3, BBC Television, and Classic FM. Her artistic partnerships have included collaborations with celebrated dancers and musicians such as Carlos Acosta, bringing a vibrant, cross-disciplinary dimension to her performances. Her concert engagements have taken her across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

A sought-after recording artist at Abbey Road Studios, Rowena’s cello playing can be heard on the soundtracks of major Hollywood films including Mission Impossible, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, Pixar’s Up and more. She has worked alongside legendary artists such as Paul McCartney, Dame Shirley Bassey, and, most recently, Billie Eilish at the BRIT Awards. Her touring credits include performances with film composer Hans Zimmer and violinist Nigel Kennedy, and she regularly features at the BBC Proms as a freelance orchestral musician.

Rowena was the founding cellist of the Cavaleri Quartet who gained international reputation through successes at competitions such as the Hamburg International Chamber Music Competition, Royal Over-Seas League (London), Osaka International Chamber Music Competition (Japan), and the Premio Paolo Borciani Competition (Italy). The quartet studied under Günter Pichler of the Alban Berg Quartet, held the Leverhulme Fellowship at the Royal College of Music, and served as ensemble-in-residence at Oxford University, UK. They toured extensively throughout Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, with frequent live broadcasts and critically acclaimed recordings.

Currently based in Bangkok, Rowena serves as Head of Strings at Shrewsbury International School and is Artistic Director of both the Hertford International Concert Series and the R2 International Concert Series. She is also the co-founder and cellist of the violin-cello duo R2, with whom she recently launched the Virtuoso Academy—a new platform dedicated to nurturing young instrumental talent.

Whether on stage, in the studio, or in the classroom, Rowena continues to lead a rich and inspiring career as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator.

YUSUKE OSADA – Piano

Japanese-British pianist Yusuke Osada has performed at prestigious venues including Wigmore Hall, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, where he has appeared regularly since his debut in 2010. A graduate of the Hannover University of Music, Theater and Media, he is an accomplished soloist and chamber musician with a repertoire spanning the Baroque to the present day. Yusuke is currently a Professor of Piano at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen.