We are delighted to welcome one of Malta’s leading pianists and violinists, Bernice Sammut Attard, as part of our much-loved Lunchtime Concert series this week. Ahead of her performance, she shares the inspirations and stories behind her programme.
How did you begin playing the piano and violin?
“Some of my earliest memories growing up are of watching and listening to my mum play the piano at home. I was six years old when I started to play myself and a year later I began playing the violin.”
You moved to the UK to study at sixteen, how have your studies shaped you as a musician?
“Moving to the UK at the age of 16, Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester was the best possible place for me. It was really the first time I was constantly surrounded by like-minded people, and this was truly special and life-changing. The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland was a wonderful place to further my studies, the faculty and facilities there were truly inspiring.
“I graduated with a Master of Arts degree from the RCS in 2023 and I am now continuing my studies in Paris at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris. Living in Paris has been a wonderful and inspiring experience. I feel incredibly grateful to have been able to study at such prestigious places. Without a doubt, each and every experience has shaped me into the musician I have become today.”
You've performed piano concertos in orchestras in Italy, Russia, Portugal and Malta, how have your travels inspired you?
“I absolutely love performing piano concertos, it is truly a great feeling to be able to play in front of an orchestra, to collaborate with so many musicians and to share that moment with an audience. When performing in different countries, I am always reminded that music is truly an international language as every musician communicates through music in the same way all over the world – it is pretty astonishing. Of course, I am thankful for each and every opportunity as I have truly grown over the years with these experiences.”
How did you decide on your repertoire for the Lunchtime Concert at Chelmsford Cathedral?
“The programme for the concert is really all pieces I truly enjoy playing. A journey through the classical, romantic, impressionist, and modern periods, the concert will feature works by Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, and Kapustin. It is a programme I have really enjoyed performing and I am looking forward to sharing this varied programme with you all this coming Friday.”
Bernice's Lunchtime Concert is on 20 June at 12pm with tea and coffee served from 11.30am.
Our free Lunchtime Concerts take place in the Cathedral and we have an exciting and varied programme of musicians who visit our beautiful building to perform throughout the year.