The London Sketch Club Presents A Double Solo Concert

Sun 29th Sep 2024 • 15:00 – 17:00

Hosted by Matthew Kleinman

£10 online • £10 on the door.

The first of the London Sketch Club’s informal Sunday afternoon autumn concerts is on the 29th September. The idea is to give promising musicians an opportunity to perform pieces of their choice in an informal setting and give members and guests an enjoyable afternoon. The first half of the programme will be performed by Aušra Bukniutė on piano follow by an interval with tea and biscuits. The second half will be played by Alex Boyd-Bench on cello.

Repertoire: Aušra Bukniutė

• Mozart – Piano Sonata No.18 in D major, K.576 Part I
• Claude Debussy – Rêverie
• M. K. Čiurlionis – Nocturne VL183
• Robert Schumann – Kinderszenen, Op. 15 No. 7 Träumerei

Biography

Aušra began her musical education at age 10 in Lithuania, specialising in traditional music and mastering the national instrument, the kanklės. At 12, she took up the piano, which quickly became her primary focus. She performed at national and international festivals and competitions but has stepped away from a concert career, for the time being, turning instead to literary studies at universities in London and Oxford. 

Her musical tastes gravitate toward the Impressionists and the Russians, especially Debussy, Scriabin, and Rachmaninoff.

Interval 20 mins

Tea and biscuits

Repertoire Alex Boyd-Bench

• JS Bach – Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor
• Hindemith – Cello Sonata Op.25 No.3
• Mark Summer – Julie-O

Biography 

Alex Boyd-Bench is a British cellist currently in his 3rd year of Undergraduate studies at the Royal College of Music in London, studying with Amanda Truelove. He attended St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh studying under Ruth Beauchamp and Duncan Strachan. He also receives mentorship from Alexander Baillie. In addition to his classical cello studies, Alex has also delved into the realm of Baroque music, studying Baroque cello with Richard Tunnicliffe. He is a keen composer, often writing for string quartet, orchestra and choir. He has had works performed throughout Scotland and previously wrote for Voces8.

Alex has had the privilege of participating in masterclasses with cellists such as; David Watkin, Gautier Capuçon, Nicolas Altstaedt, Rebecca Gilliver, and Joely Koos. Alex is a founding member of the Sonora Quartet, a dynamic string quartet comprising three other instrumentalists from the RCM. Together, they perform across multiple venues throughout London. Beyond his chamber music endeavours, Alex is an orchestral cellist, viola da gamba player and music teacher.