Directory
Sequoia
Cromarty and Rickards performed with nuance and composure, both of them unshowy and deeply musical players.
I have found my own interactions with TRANSPLANTED to be unexpectedly thought-provoking, and it’s been energy-giving to have worked directly with the performers through all stages of the commissioning and composing process.
Duo - Instrumental
Instrumentation
- Alice Rickards - Violin
- Sonia Cromarty - Cello
Repertoire
WATER MUSIC: SOURCE TO SEA- A sonic immersion in one of Scotland’s most precious and iconic resources, combining works by Bach, new commissions, folk music, field recordings and striking photography. School's workshops on environmental and musical themes are also available as part of this project.
TRANSPLANTED - Celebrates the rich diversity of Scotland's plant life and its music. Music by Scottish Baroque composer James Oswald set alongside 8 new miniatures by leading composers, exploring native plants and their many uses in society over the centuries.
BIG GIANTS - Duos by Ravel, Kodaly, Honneger, Beethoven, Mozart & Bach, including his solo Suites, Sonatas and Partitas.
Biography
SEQUOIA: CONNECTING MUSIC, NATURE AND PEOPLE
Sequoia is an award-winning string duo comprising Australian violinist Alice Rickards and Scottish cellist Sonia Cromarty. Over the past 12 years they have firmly rooted their place in Scotland's chamber music scene, performing recitals and creative collaborative projects in concert halls, public spaces, schools and gardens around the country, and previously holding the post of CMS ensemble in residence. 2022/23 saw the launch of two new CDs, 'Isola' and ‘Earth, Thy cold is keen’, both featuring new works by Scottish-based composers.
‘Our artistic identity is centred round an innate desire to use music to invite greater engagement and connection with the natural world.
For us connecting with the environment begins at home, and we are committed to championing Scotland’s music and nature. We are equally at home uncovering Baroque masterpieces and exploring new work, and we have commissioned composers across a wide range of genres.
We love connecting with audiences and our recitals are carefully curated to inspire and inform. In the past we have utilised lighting, performance in the round, photography and narration to create intimate performances that draw listeners in and travel beyond notes on the page.’
EDUCATION:
We strongly believe that everyone should have access to live performance and our role as music educators is central to our identity. In the past year we have performed to children in more than 30 primary schools across Scotland and wherever possible we like to tie in workshops in community settings alongside our recital tours.
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Violinist Alice Rickards is a member of the BBC SSO and has also performed with the RSNO, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Southbank Sinfonia. On the baroque violin she has performed with the Dunedin Consort, The English Concert and the Australian Haydn Ensemble.
Cellist Sonia Cromarty has performed across the world, from South America to the Arctic. She works with all Scotland's leading orchestras and ensembles; BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra , RSNO, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, Scottish Ensemble and Children's Classic Concerts.
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