Laura van der Heijden and Jâms Coleman

Claude Debussy Cello Sonata
Rebecca Clarke Rhapsody
Mel Bonis Cello Sonata in F major, Op. 67
César Franck Violin Sonata

Our first ever Festival Weekend kicks off in grand style with a performance by the acclaimed British cellist Laura van der Heijden and thrilling Welsh pianist Jâms Coleman.

This richly expressive programme weaves together four works that blur the lines between Romantic passion and Impressionist colour. Debussy’s Cello Sonata is a masterclass in nuance and atmosphere, blending subtle harmonies with emotional depth. Clarke’s Rhapsody continues in this spirit, combining sweeping lyricism and bold textures, rooted in both late-Romantic and early 20th-century idioms.

Bonis’s Cello Sonata in F major offers warmth and elegance, revealing the voice of a long-overlooked Romantic composer whose music is lyrical and heartfelt. César Franck’s Violin Sonata, though written for a different instrument, resonates throughout the program with its cyclical structure and emotional intensity. Together, these works form a tapestry of rich sonorities and deep expression, shining a light on the evolving voice of French and Franco-British chamber music at the turn of the century.