24 November 2023
Our Young Artists Programme, in partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), supports talented young musicians and helps train the next generation of strong talent. Following a week-long residency at RCS in January, four performers were selected to join our 2023-24 Young Artists Programme.
This years young artists are:
Yik Liang Soo violin
Helen La Grand cello
Brendan Norris bass
Filippos Matasaru violin
Find out more about our our 2023-24 Young Artists below.
Yik Liang Soo
Tell us a bit about yourself, what you are studying and which instrument you play:
My name is Yik and I’m from Malaysia. This year, I graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where I studied violin performance with Maya Iwabuchi and Joseph Swensen.
What three things are at the top of your playlist right now?
- Jean Sibelius Five pieces Op. 81 performed by Pekka Kussisto
- Eugene Ysaye Sonata for Solo Violin No.1 in G minor performed by Thomas Bowes
- Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor performed by Peter Zimmerman
Filippos Matasaru, violin
Please tell us about yourself, what you are studying and which instrument you play:
I play the violin and I am currently in the first year of my Masters Degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. I also graduated from the same Conservatoire last year where I finished my Bachelor Degree. That means that this is my fifth year in Glasgow, a city full of music, amazing architecture and lovely people. I was born and raised in Athens, Greece and I am originally from Romania.
What do you love about playing your instrument?
Some violinists like the challenge of becoming proficient players. It requires a great degree of accuracy and competence, which makes studying fulfilling and intellectually engaging. The violin also allows for personal expression and interpretation of music. Players can infuse their own style and emotions into the pieces they perform, making each rendition unique. Lastly, I was always drawn to Romanian and Greek folk music, where the violin has a primary role.
What three things are at the top of your playlist right now?
At the moment, I am learning the Ysaye’s First Sonata, so I am listening to that a lot. James Ehnes’s recording is by far my favourite. Two other things at the top of my playlist are Enescu’s Piano Quintet Op. 29 and the album “Without you I am Nothing” by Placebo.
Which musician or artist would you like to collaborate with, and what would you wish to do?
I would love to collaborate with Hans Zimmer, Ludwig Goransson or some other film music composer. Film music has always been a dream for me. Also, once involved with it, you can even explore genres you have never played before. I would love to be part of a big project like that one day.
If you could have a super power, what would it be and why?
If I could have a superpower, it would be to be invisible. I would find it amazing to be able to observe people and situations without them knowing, or even play some crazy pranks on family and friends. Also, I could be using invisibility to fight crime by intervening in dangerous situations and helping the world to be a better place.
Helen La Grand, cello
I play the cello and am in the 2nd year of my Masters degree at RCS. I moved to Glasgow a bit over a year ago and am originally from Michigan, in The United States.
What do you love about playing your instrument?
I love the sound of the cello and the role it often has in a group, of leading the structure and pulse of the music. We don’t have the spotlight very much, but I don’t mind it! I also just love playing really juicy low notes…
What three things are at the top of your playlist right now?
Right now, I’m learning Bach’s 5th cello suite, so I’m listening to that a lot. My favorite recording is David Watkin’s. Two more albums at the top of my list right now are “Chet Baker Sings,” and Dudok Quartet’s “Haydn String Quartets”.
Which musician or artist would you like to collaborate with, and what would you wish to do?
I’d love to collaborate with visual artists/animators. I have a duo with an accordionist, and we usually come up with a story for the music when we’re learning a new piece. We have always had this fantasy of collaborating with visual artists/animators to create music videos of those stories with our playing as the soundtrack!
If you could have a super power, what would it be and why?
If I could have a superpower, I think it would be time travel (if that counts). I would find it fascinating to see for myself what the world was like at different points in history and how things have changed.