Olive Blackman [Musician | Composer]Neath |
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| TO Olive Blackman | |
| Abigail Blackman began her musical career at a young age learning the flute and piano. This early introduction to music helped lead her, at the age of eight to start playing the cello under the tuition of Nicholas Jones, currently Head of Strings at Cheethams Music School. After gaining three A's at A'sLevel, Abigail accepted a scholarship to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) where she gained a BA Hons in music with a distinction in performance, here she was taught by Peter Esswood Head of Strings. Abigail went onto further her development at the prestigious Royal College of Music (RCM),London, gaining a Post Graduate diploma in Solo/Ensemble Recital through the teachings of Alexander Boyarsky. Currently Abigail is receiving lessons from John Sentor, principal cellist of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Abigail's extensive orchestral experience includes principal cellist of all the major ensembles at RWCMD, principal cellist of the New Perspectives Ensemble, the Clarion Ensemble and the Composers Ensemble at the RCM. As a freelance cellist Abigail has been working with the Bute Chamber Orchestra as principal cellist, the National Concert Orchestra of Wales, the National Chamber Orchestra of Wales, Sinfonia Cymru, Celtic Sinfonia, South Wales Sinfonia and the National Musicians Symphony Orchestra. Abigail has worked with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales after being selected for a placement scheme through the RWCMD. Abigail's continued success at college led her to receive highly commended in the Louis Cohen Bach scholarship, the Peter Esswood String prize for her outstanding performance in her final recital and a scholarship to attend the Salzkammergut International Summer Music School in Austria with the Royal Academy of Music where she received extensive tuition and master classes with David Strange. Abigail was also selected to give a private performance for HRH the Prince of Wales at the opening of the Sir Anthony Hopkins Centre at RWCMD. As a soloist Abigail has performed the Elgar cello concerto(1st mvt), Saint Saens cello concerto in A min, the Vivaldi double cello concerto, Faure's 'Apres un Reve' and in a tour of Southern France she performed Faure's 'Elegie' with the Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra. Abigail was also finalist in the Gloucestershire Young Musician of the Year competition 1998) and finalist in the RWCMD Concerto Trials competition in 1998 and 99. Some of Abigail?s more diverse work includes recordings for films at the RCM and a performance with the band ?Eeblee? at the Oxford Truck Festival. Abigail is currently one half of a cello duo with whom she has performed widely throughout the UK, performances include recitals given at the RWCMD where they performed the World Premiere of Alun Taylors 'Seeds of Destruction' for two cellos, The National Gallery, London in the Belle Shenkman Music Series, The Barn, Walton on Thames as part of the Musicair Starsigns music series and the Pitville Pump Rooms, Cheltenham. The duet were guest ensemble for the London Chamber Group, and guest ensemble for a recital at St. Catherines Church, Neath performing the Vivaldi double cello concerto and Poppers Requiem. The ensemble has performed at weddings and functions across the country as well as corporate events at Berkeley Castle, Winchester Guildhall, the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall and Fulton House, Swansea. The Duet has been fortunate to have several works written for them including a new double cello concerto written for them by the Welsh composer Christopher Painter. Along side all her orchestral commitments, Abigail will be performing with the band Treffpunkt in a session workshop with the singer Issie Barrett with whom they hope to record an album and undertake a U.S tour in 2006. She will also be working with pianist Alex Routledge in live performances and recordings, and the band ?Ist? in their forthcoming live tour. Abigail has recently given an extremely successful recital with pianist Michael Haynes for the Newdean Music Club where she performed the Beethoven C major cello sonata and the Shostakovich cello sonata amongst others, the review in the local paper said 'Abigail Blackman gave a sparkling performance'. Abigail has recently been appointed a place on the teaching panel for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Junior department. Abigail currently divides her time between her love of performing and caring for her young family. Abigail's beautiful tone and musical interpretation has been enjoyed throughout the UK and abroad in Austria, France and Belgium. Abigail currently plays on an English cello made by Corsby of London, C1800. |
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