Erlend Vestby

'Cello on a Theme of Love'

• 6:00 pm
• St Lawrence Church, The Square, Winchester

Cello duo by candlelight. Cellists Théa-Rose Lester Mumford and Erlend Vestby will perform arrangements of romantic works by Rachmaninoff, Elgar, Saint-Saëns, Piazzolla and others. Join us for an hour of sumptuous music this Valentines day.

Joe Hisaishi (1950*) Merry-Go-Round of Life from Howl’s Moving Castle
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835 – 1921) Carnival of the Animals – The Swan
Igor Stravinsky (1882 – 1971) Pulcinella Suite – Serenata
Enrique Granados (1867 – 1916) Spanish Dance No 5 – Andaluza
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873 – 1943) Vocalise Op 34, No 14
Édith Piaf (1915 – 1963) Hymne a l’amour (Music by Marguerite Monnot)
Astor Piazzolla (1921 – 1992) Duo de amor
Franz Schubert (1797 – 1828) Ständchen (Serenade), D.957
Carola Häggkvist (1966*) Himlen i min famn (Heaven in my arms)
Edward Elgar (1857 – 1934) Salut d’amour
Giacomo Puccini (1858 – 1924) Crisantemi
Carlos Gardel (1890 – 1935) Por una Cabeza

Professional cellists and Winchester residents Théa-Rose Lester Mumford and Erlend Vestby, who together form cello duo The Duettists, invite you to an hour-long concert ‘Cello on a theme of love’, celebrating love in its various forms and musical styles. This candle lit Valentines Day concert explores romanticism through gracious ballet like music such as the ever popular The Swan, but also from Stravinsky’s ballet Pulcinella, and Schubert’s Ständchen which was published posthumously as a final testament to Schubert. The person singing the song is pleading his beloved to come to him and make him happy. The concert will also feature music written specifically as a manifestation of romantic love such as Duo de amor, Hymne a l’amour and Salut d’amour, the latter of which was written by Elgar as an engagement present. Duo de amor, by Piazzolla, is written in a tango style, the most flirtatious, sensitive musical style. Love, wonder and magic is also expressed in Joe Hiasishi’s waltz-like film score. Granados’ dance on the other hand expresses a national love, particularly for Andalucia in this very movement. The concert will also feature love for a lost friend. Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise and Puccini’s Crisantemi were both written after the composers lost close friends. The song by Carola Häggkvist tells of a love a mother has for her child, but also of a Christian love to Jesus and to Heaven. To put the love-theme a little on edge, the concert ends with Gardel’s Por una Cabeza. The lyrics, written by Alfredo Le Pera, speak of a compulsive horse-track gambler who compares his addiction for horses with his attraction for women. However, from a musical point of view it is full of spirit and passion, providing a lively end to the concert.

The Duettists, formed in 2024, are active across the South of the UK and have performed at a wide array of venues including Croydon Minster, Winchester Cathedral, for the Museum of Music History, and for numerous private events. Their core repertoire is that of the 19th and early 20th centuries romantic period comprising music that brings out the passion, depth and lyricism of the cello as an instrument. Théa curates the music while Erlend writes the arrangements to be able to bring out the uniqueness and strengths of each cello, as well as finding creative ways of connecting them, producing an exciting listening experience. In this way the music and the performances become more personal, intimate and true to The Duettists, producing their own voice unique from other performing groups.