CRH Classical: Jack Liebeck & Katya Apekisheva

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Jack Liebeck & Katya Apekisheva will not be able to perform on 11th August, 2023. Sincere thanks to all who bought tickets to the performance. Ticket holders will be contacted by box office regarding refunds. 

Jack Liebeck’s natural grace and virtuosity on violin, pairs with pianist Katya Apekisheva’s immaculate sensitivity as these two long-time collaborators perform a stunning program of Schubert, Brahms and Kreisler. 

Jack Liebeck picked up the violin for the very first time at the ripe old age of 8. He was fortunate to begin lessons with Mateja Marinkovic, and was accepted into the prestigious Purcell School in London after only six months. ‘We kind of grew up together,’ says Jack, as Marinkovic was only in his late 20s himself when they started lessons together. Marinkovic rarely played himself in lessons. ‘He didn’t ever me to copy anything he played, ever. He wanted for me to be able to put everything in my own words. It was a brilliant education.’

That’s not to say they didn’t listen to the greats. One of Jack’s fondest early memories is of being taken to a concert at the Royal Academy given by a class of young students from Russia. In amongst the cohort were Maxim Vengerov and Vadim Repin. ‘I had my eyes opened to the wonder of these players.’ Forever after, any time Vengerov performed in London, Jack would be there, sitting in Row 2, staring up at his idol. ‘He played with such strength of character on every note. There hasn’t been anyone like that for generations.’ Other violin heroes include Jascha Heifetz, Nathan Milstein, Josef Hassid and, of course, Fritz Kreisler, whose music Jack includes in his City Recital Hall Presents Classical recital with duo partner Katya Apekisheva.

Born in Moscow, Katya Apekisheva attended the Gnessin Music School for exceptionally gifted children making her stage debut at the age of 12. She continued her studies in Jerusalem at the Rubin Music Academy and later at the Royal College of Music in London. From these auspicious beginnings she went on to be a Prizewinner of the Leeds International Piano competition and has gone on to perform with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Halle Orchestra, the Moscow Philharmonic, the Jerusalem Symphony, the English Chamber Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, working with renowned conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle, David Shallon, Jan Latham-Koenig and Alexander Lazarev. 

Jack and Katya have been playing together for years. They’ll be travelling to Sydney from Townsville after the Australian Festival of Chamber Music this year, of which Jack is the Artistic Director and Katya, a featured guest artist. Together they’ll also perform Schubert’s Violin Sonata No.4, also known as the ‘Duo’ or ‘Grand Duo’ sonata. This work is different to the composer’s other piece for violin and piano – more personal and closer to Schubert’s own voice.

Brahms is a composer particularly close to Jack’s heart. ‘My grandfather always spoke about Brahms’ Violin Concerto as the greatest of the violin repertoire and ever since I was a child, I have also felt a great affinity for Brahms’ music. The sound-world he created and the utter beauty and musical intensity of his writing were deeply human, expressing emotions from elation to despair…’ Jack and Katya recorded all three of the Brahms Violin Sonatas back in 2008 and return to these gems of the chamber music repertoire regularly.

• Program

  Schubert

  Sonata for violin & piano in A major ('Duo'), D. 574 (Op. posth. 162) 

  Paul Dean 

  Miniature (world premiere) 

  Rebecca Clarke

  Midsummer Moon for violin and piano 

  Brahms 

  Violin Sonata No.1 in G, Op.78

  Kreisler

  A selection of favourites

• Artists

  Jack Liebeck

  Violin

  Katya Apekisheva

  Piano