On 12 March 2019, the Taipei Representative Office in the UK attended a lunchtime concert at St-Martin-in-the-Fields, performed by Taiwanese cellist Kuan-Yin (Melody) Lin with Andrea Emanuele on piano. The programme consisted of sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven and Samuel Barber, showcasing the cellist’s significant repertoire. The Beethoven Sonata in A Major is one of the most popular, well-known and virtuosic of his five sonatas for cello and piano. On the other hand, the Barber, an early work, represents the composer’s transition from 19th to 20th century-style writing.
The Beethoven was performed in a lyrical but classical style, in which the interplay between the cello and piano was always sensitively and positively rendered. The Barber is an emotional, passionate and highly complex work, and some in the audience claimed to have been deeply moved by this performance. In both pieces, great maturity and musicality was present and this was clearly a chamber music performance of the highest level.
Professor Derek Aviss OBE, former principal of Trinity Laban Conservatoire, has written that “Melody is one of the most talented students that I have taught during my long career. She is exceptionally gifted and should ultimately enjoy a highly successful career as a distinguished performer and artist. She is capable of achieving international recognition for her exceptional abilities.”
THE FOLLOWING QUOTE IS FROM AN AUDIENCE MEMBER:
“The slow movement of the Barber Sonata is a powerful utterance. Melody played this with deep expression and authority; she has a very warm and dignified presence on stage.” Wissam Boustany, Flute Soloist, Artistic Director of the Pro Youth Philharmonia
Melody studied at London’s Royal College of Music and Trinity Laban Conservatoire, where she received a full scholarship sponsored by the Derek Butler, Drake Calleja and Tillett Trusts. She is currently a member of the Southbank Sinfonia supported by Jenny Hodgson, and has performed at major concert halls including the Boston Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall and Barbican Centre. She was a winner at the Vera Kantrovitch Competition and Leonard Smith & Felicity Young Duo Competition 2018.
