Ariana Kashefi (cello) and Petr Limonov (piano)

Beethoven Cello Sonata in A major
Amy Beach Three pieces for violin and piano arranged for cello
Alma Mahler – Die Stille Stadt
Rachmaninov prelude

Ariana Kashefi cello
Petr Limonov piano

Ariana Kashefi is a British-Persian cellist celebrated for her innate musicianship, expressive sound, and commanding presence on stage. She studied at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin after receiving the Julius Isserlis Scholarship from the Royal Philharmonic Society, and later refined her artistry at the Barenboim–Said Akademie under the guidance of renowned cellist, Frans Helmerson. During her studies, she was recognised with several awards, including the Making Music Awards for Young Musicians, support from the City Music Foundation, Pierre Fournier Award, and a Villa Musica scholarship, through which she was entrusted with the use of a fine Gagliano cello.

Ariana has performed at major venues including Wigmore Hall, the Pierre Boulez Saal, the Berlin Philharmonie and more. She has appeared many times as a soloist on BBC Radio 3, as well as on leading radio stations in France and Germany. Alongside her solo career, she is deeply committed to chamber music and has a particular passion for discovering and championing lesser-known works, bringing fresh attention to overlooked corners of the cello repertoire.

Winner of Nikolai Rubinstein Piano Competition, pupil of Maria João Pires and Dmitri Alexeev, award-winning British pianist Petr Limonov is increasingly sought-after both as a soloist worldwide. His notable solo and concertoappearances include La Roque d’Antheron festival (broadcast by radio France Musique), Queen Elizabeth Hall, Wigmore Hall, Kolarac Hall, Cadogan Hall, the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory, a solo recital in The Duke’s Hall given for His Majesty King Charles III, iTunes Festival, Lerici Music Festival, TV appearances for BBC Proms Extra, Podium Witteman and broadcasts for BBC Radio 3. His arrangement of the Auld Lang Syne (from Nicola Benedetti’s “Homecoming” album, Decca) was performed in the Albert Hall at the BBC Proms. On the 6th of March 2022, Petr conducted an open-air orchestral concert in Trafalgar Square, London, in protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Petr has recorded albums for Decca, Onyx Classics, Chandos and Champs Hill labels; the “1948” album, recorded with Laura van der Heijden, received the “Edison Klassiek” and the BBC “Newcomer of the Year” awards. Over the years, his shared the stage with Maria João Pires, Nicola Benedetti, Gabriel Feltz, Michael Seal, Adrian Brendel, Laura van der Heijden, Jennifer Pike.

“Highest intelligence, extraordinary intensity, subtlety, sophistication and a razor-sharp sense of time.” – Nottingham Post

“An extremely multi-faceted, phenomenal musician, who has an endless array of abilities.” – Classical Music Magazine