Opus One Music

07/09/2025

Hi Everyone! Today's blog post features the new Opus One Music Festival. In this post, festival director Shirley Wu writes about her exciting future plans - do have a read!

Over the summer, I had the good fortune to adjudicate at an up-and-coming music festival and competition in London held at the Royal Academy of Music (pictured above). The Opus One Summer Music Fes…

18/08/2025

🌟✨ What an unforgettable concert! ✨🌟

Refractions – The Chamber World of Ravel | 150th Anniversary Concert played to a full house, and we couldn’t be more grateful. A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful musicians — violinist Elizabeth Jirikova, pianists Yuzhou Zhang and Hanzhi Zhang, and cellist Aleksandra Pykacz — whose artistry brought Ravel’s music to life with such beauty, sensitivity, and passion. 🎶👏

The audience was captivated from start to finish, with many sharing how much they enjoyed the program, the insightful talk, and the opportunity to hear Ravel’s chamber works performed live in different instrumentations. The atmosphere was filled with warmth, appreciation, and music that will stay with us for a long time. 💖🎼

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this celebration of Ravel so special! 💐

📸 Photos by Anny Li

11/08/2025

Nos visages, métissage 😊

Students from four different countries came to Royal Academy of Music Angela Burgess Recital Hall to compete on the final day of the festival. What a joyful celebration of diversity in music it was 🎼

Congratulations to Aaron Coltrane, a talented 19 year old American pianist currently pursuing his Bachelor of Music in Piano at the Mannes School of Music, whose performance of Polonaise-Fantaisie, Op. 61 was unanimously chosen as the winner by both of our juries, Mr. Michael Steer, The Cherubim Music Trust as well as Melanie Spanswick.

Aaron also took home the first prize in the advanced piano category, generously sponsored by Richard Lawson Pianos Ltd.

We would also like to warmly congratulate all other prize winners, including the talented delegation from Thailand Bravo Music Festival, whose outstanding performances added great vibrancy and spirit to the festival.

We are truly grateful to our partners, and sponsors for their dedicated time and support.

Another successful edition of the Opus One Summer Music Festival has come to a close!

11/08/2025

During the piano masterclass sessions, each piano student worked on different repertoire under the guidance of two distinguished professors, Pascal Nemirovski and Julian Jacobson.

Prof. Madeleine Mitchell led the solo violin masterclass as well as the chamber music workshop, where students explored a wide range of repertoire, including Carnival of the Animals in its piano four-hands and ensemble version.

11/08/2025

Tuesday night’s Twilight Impression concert at St Pancras Clocktower played to a full house. Several of the performers had only met for the first time three hours earlier, with barely 30 minutes of rehearsal, yet they delivered an evening full of delightful surprises: a witty cello–piano duo, a selection of Debussy preludes for solo piano, Debussy’s Violin Sonata, Schumann’s Carnaval de Vienne, and, to close, an evocative “American in Paris” reimagined in London by a British clarinet–piano duo.

As the concert drew to a close, Professor Julian made an unexpected appearance, gracing the audience with an impromptu performance of several Debussy preludes: a dreamlike touch that left the evening bathed in the lingering glow of twilight.

05/08/2025

Postcard from London was a fantastic success: brilliant performances by students from the USA, UK, Macau, and China.

Thank you all for your patience, energy, and support! Up next: Twilight Impressions at St Pancras Clocktower tonight at 6:30pm.

29/07/2025

We are thrilled to announce the Opus One Summer Music Festival, taking place from August 4th to August 9th!

This year, we proudly welcome students from four countries, joined by talented young musicians from leading UK institutions including Chetham’s School of Music, the Royal College of Music Junior Department, and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Junior Department. We are also delighted to host bachelor and graduate students from the United States, representing the Mannes School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music.

The festival features two concerts on the first 2 days:
• “Postcards from London” – August 4th at St Mary Le Strand Church
• “Twilight Impressions” – August 5th at St Pancras Clocktower

Throughout the week, students will participate in masterclasses and coaching led by internationally acclaimed artists and educators:
• 🎹 Pascal Nemirovski and Professor Julian Jacobson (Piano)
• 🎻 Madeleine Mitchell (Violin and Ensemble Coaching)

On August 9th, students of all levels—including a brilliant group of young performers from Thailand: will take part in a friendly competition celebrating their musical achievements. Hosted at the Angela Burgess Recital Hall, Royal Academy of Music, participants will compete for Gold, Silver, and Bronze trophies, adjudicated by a distinguished panel of judges (Mr. Michael Steer and Mrs. Melanie Spanswick). The First Prize in Piano will be generously sponsored by Richard Lawson Pianos.

Following the competition, the festival will present a special event in celebration of the 150 anniversary of French composer Maurice Ravel:
• “Refractions: The Chamber World of Maurice Ravel”

We are also delighted to welcome young musicians affiliated with ensembles such as the North Hertfordshire Symphony Orchestra and the National Children’s Orchestra. As part of the festival, these ensemble students will join pianists to perform Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals, arranged for piano four hands and ensemble—a joyful highlight of the week and a celebration of musical collaboration and friendship.

The full program is now available on our website:
🔗 https://www.opusone.studio/2025-summer-music-festival

We look forward to a vibrant week of music-making, learning, and international collaboration!

25/07/2025

20/07/2025

Postcard from London! Opus One Summer Music Festival presents Concert #1, featuring young musicians aged 8-26 from 3 different countries on Monday August 4th at 1pm at St Mary Lestrand Church in central London. They’ll be playing music by Bach, Chopin, Beethoven, and 2 contemporary pieces

20/07/2025

Piano Masterclasses led by Prof. Julian Jacobson and Prof. Pascal Nemirovski are now complete. We sincerely thank all participants for their engagement and enthusiasm. Look forward to see everyone in London!

05/07/2025

🎻 Violin Masterclass Announcement: 4 Spots Available! 🎻

We are happy to offer 4 spots in the upcoming violin masterclasses of Prof. Madeleine Mitchell as part of the Opus One Summer Music Festival.

📅 Dates: August 7th & 8th
📍 Venue: Royal Academy of Music
🎓 Format: Solo masterclass in an open classroom setting: ideal for students preparing for college applications, exams, mock auditions, or competitions.

Professor introduction:

Madeleine Mitchell is an internationally renowned British violinist, celebrated for her versatility as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator. She has performed in over 50 countries, appearing at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall, Sydney Opera House, and Lincoln Center. A champion of contemporary music, she has premiered numerous works written for her by leading composers, including James MacMillan and Michael Nyman.

Her extensive discography includes critically acclaimed recordings for labels such as Naxos, Signum, and Nimbus, with her albums frequently receiving top accolades. In addition to her performing career, she is a Professor of Violin at the Royal College of Music, where she is highly regarded for her inspiring teaching and masterclasses worldwide.

Mitchell is also the founder of the London Chamber Ensemble, further demonstrating her dedication to collaborative music-making. Her artistry and commitment continue to make a significant impact on the classical music world.

To apply, please send name/main teacher name/current level to [email protected].