Saturday 9th May 2026 1:45pm – 2:30pm
Pip Clarke – Violin, Havilland Willshire – Piano
Programme
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Violin and Piano sonata No 26 in B flat major, K.378
i Allegro moderato
ii Andantino sostenuto e cantabile
iii Rondeau: Allegro
Francois Francoeur – Fritz Kreisler Sicilienne and Rigaudon
Johannes Brahms Piano and Violin sonata. Opus 108. In D minor
i Allegro
ii Adagio
iii Un poco presto e con sentimento
iv Presto agitato
Biographies
Pip Clarke is a unique musician. Critics have described her playing as “dazzling”, demonstrating “incredible emotion” and often noting an “audience spellbound”. Pip gave her ‘sold out’ debut in the Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall in 2007, performing the Korngold violin concerto with the New York Pops Orchestra. Concert performances in the United States have included with the Florida Orchestra; the Colorado Symphony; the Syracuse Symphony; the Utah Symphony; the Buffalo Philharmonic; and the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. Pip made a guest appearance at the Hollywood Bowl opening Gala Concert, and was the featured violin soloist in the major motion picture “15 Minutes” (with Robert De Niro). She also appeared in recital as one of the “Rising Stars” at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago. Performances in Canada included repeat appearances with the Calgary Philharmonic and the Regina Symphony. In the UK Pip has performed with the London Sinfonia, and toured with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
CD recordings include ‘After a Dream’, and ‘Amidst a Fantasy’ featuring a collection of short romantic concert pieces; and a debut recording on Albany Records of a violin concerto by the American composer, Lee Actor. Written for Pip, it is an outstanding composition with lush contemporary romantic melodies and dazzling virtuosity. Since returning home to live in the UK in 2018, Pip has collaborated with the pianist Martin Jones, with her sister Nikki, and is part of a musical partnership with the pianist Havilland Willshire.
Havilland Willshire is regularly invited to speak about the role of music in the lives of young people. He has worked extensively with young musicians as conductor and pianist and is highly sought after as adjudicator and competition jury member. An experienced examiner, he has served on numerous validation and review panels.
He held the post of Co-ordinator of Metropolitan Wigan Instrumental Music Service for nine years before accepting the position of Head of Junior Conservatoire of Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2000. Following a year as Head of Music Education in 2008 he became Dean of the School of Music in 2009. In 2014 he was appointed Assistant Director and Head of Performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and more recently, Director of the Faculty of Music in November 2018, a post he held until early 2023.
A dedicated teacher, he taught for a number of years at the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music Junior School and continued to teach at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Trinity Laban. Currently he teaches at Cheltenham College. He also enjoys an active concert career as soloist and chamber musician including live broadcasts and recordings for BBC Radio and is the duo partner for the violinist Pip Clarke.
Our next recital is on Saturday, 16th May when we welcome the Ignatius Singers.
