Dancing with Brahms

Marking the days between the anniversaries of Brahms’ birth and death, Aleksandra and Joanna place his magnificent Sonata in E minor at the heart of their recital. Inspired by the sonata’s graceful Menuet, the programme unfolds into a vibrant sequence of dances—from Beethoven and Brahms to Piazzolla and Villa-Lobos—exploring a rich spectrum of rhythm, colour, and virtuosity.

Timeline:

Door and drinks - 7PM

Concert

First half 7:30PM-8PM

Short interval

Second half 8:15PM-8:45PM

About the Artists:

Aleksandra Pykacz

Aleksandra began playing cello at age 6 and later graduated with distinction (“cum laude”) from the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel in 2015, studying with Prof. Jeroen Reuling.

She is a prizewinner of numerous Polish and international cello competitions, including awards in Bydgoszcz, Wrocław, Poznań, Tallinn, Vilnius, and Dolný Kubín, as well as chamber music prizes in competitions such as Concertino Praga and the International Chamber Music Competition in Heerlen.

Aleksandra has performed at leading festivals across Europe, including appearances at the Rudolfinum’s Dvořák Hall in Prague, Casa da Música in Porto, and the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria in Santander, where she shared the stage with Nobuko Imai. She has also appeared at festivals in Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, and Iran, where she premiered Hooshyar Khayam’s Cello Concerto.

Aleksandra is also an active chamber musician, regularly collaborating with distinguished artists and ensembles across Europe. Her work spans a broad repertoire from classical to contemporary music, with a particular interest in exploring lesser-known works alongside core cello literature. Through her performances and recordings, she continues to develop a distinctive artistic voice, combining technical refinement with expressive depth.

As a soloist and chamber musician, she has performed widely across Europe, including in the UK, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In 2024, she recorded her debut mini-album Faure Now and Then with pianist Shirley Wu, marking the 100th anniversary of Gabriel Fauré’s death.

Joanna Kacperek

Joanna Kacperek is a versatile concert pianist acclaimed for her wide-ranging repertoire as both soloist and collaborative artist. She has performed in leading concert halls across Europe, Canada, and Japan, with concerto appearances including the Symphony Orchestra of the National Philharmonic in Warsaw and the Lviv Virtuosos Chamber Orchestra.

Her debut solo album Variations (Rubicon Classics, 2024) received enthusiastic reviews in press (International Piano, Pianist, ArtMuse London) and was broadcast on Polish National Radio. In February 2025, Joanna performed Chopin for HRH King Charles at the Polish Social and Cultural Association in London, where she also presented him with her album.

A prizewinner of the International Grieg Piano Competition in Bergen, Joanna has also been recognised at the Royal Over-Seas League Competition, the Lies Askonas Competition (Titanic Memoriam Pianist Prize), and the II International Beethoven Chamber Music Competition. She also holds first prizes from competitions in Szafarnia, Pilsen, and Paris.

In 2024, Joanna made her Wigmore Hall debut with soprano Clara Barbier Serrano, winning the Jean Meikle Prize at Wigmore Hall Song Competition. Their duo later earned prizes at the Hugo Wolf Competition in Stuttgart and the International Chamber Music Competition in Lyon, and they now perform regularly at major European festivals.

Joanna graduated with honours from the Royal College of Music in London where she studied with Norma Fisher, and from the Chopin University of Music in Warsaw (class of Ewa Pobłocka).

Poster photos:

Aleksandra's photo - Jullie de Bellaing

Joanna's photo - Paul Marc Mitchell

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Host or Publisher Aleksandra Pykacz