Did you know the IWSO’s resident cello virtuoso and amazing mezzo-soprano Sophie Cowall loves cricket? She not only loves cricket, she LOVES cricket.
‘Cricket is a game of time. Especially test cricket. And time is crucial in music’, says Sophie. ‘Cricket is also heaps fun!’
Sophie is an amazing talent. She has been playing the cello since the age of four and singing since she was five. In cricketing terms, that makes her a genuine allrounder.
Sophie is currently a student at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School where she studies singing with Carrie Barr and cello with Zoe Knighton. She is an active member of the Victorian Opera Youth Chorus Ensemble and has been recognised with many prestigious awards. She has also performed in productions with Opera Australia and the Victorian Opera. As Sophie explains, performing is in her DNA.
‘I love singing and making a beautiful sound. The performances are the best part but they’re also the saddest part because you eventually have to finish the show.’
Image: Anthony McKee
Sophie has a connection with arguably the most famous classical music album of all time: the 1965 recording of Elgar’s Cello Concerto featuring Jacqueline du Pre with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli.
‘How?’ I hear you ask.
Well, you see, the B side of that famous album features the great English mezzo-soprano Dame Janet Baker performing Elgar’s Sea Pictures, two movements of which Sophie will sing at the IWSO’s upcoming concert on August 3.
It just so happens that the classical album is one of Sophie’s favourites.
‘Being both a cellist and a singer, I absolutely love the recording of the Elgar Sea Pictures that also has Jacqueline du Pre playing the Elgar Cello Concerto,’ explains Sophie. ‘That’s how I discovered Janet Baker. I love her voice and the clarity of her singing. I can understand every word she sings. As well as enjoying the singing, I also love hearing Elgar’s lush string parts.’
Next month, Dame Janet Baker will celebrate her 92nd birthday. To use another cricketing term, that is a pretty good innings.
Image: Michael Bodman
Elgar. Cricket. The cello. Sea Pictures. Dame Janet Baker and our Sophie!
There’s a wonderful symmetry there!
The IWSO will present two movements from Elgar’s Sea Pictures featuring mezzo-soprano Sophie Cowall at our upcoming concert, MYTHIC, on Sunday 3 August at 2 pm.
