Svyati Duo Brings Unusual Pairing of Organ and Cello to UT’s PNC Bank Concert Artist Series

The University of Tampa’s 2015-2016 PNC Bank Concert Artist Series at the Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values continues its theme of collaborative music making with the Svyati Duo, who will perform Sunday, Oct. 25, at 2 p.m.

The Svyati Duo is comprised of cellist Rebecca Hepplewhite and organist Julian Collings. This duo of young British musicians has earned high praise from the press for both their commercial CD releases and concert performances throughout Europe, the U.S. and Asia.

Though the pairing of organ and cello is unusual, the Svyati Duo maintain a diverse repertoire, from Baroque sonatas through to romantic and contemporary works that display the versatility of their instrumental combination.

The program for the UT concert will include a sonata by Antonio Vivaldi, two Chorale Preludes of Johannes Brahms, a sonata by Marcel Dupré, Humoresque by Josef Jongen, In croce by Sofia Gubaidulina, Kol Nidrei by Max Bruch and a tango by Astor Piazolla.

Formed in 2009, the duo take their name from their first collaboration, as conductor and cellist in a performance of Sir Tavener’s masterpiece Svyati for solo cello and choir. Tavener became the duo’s patron the following year and remained so until his death in 2013.

The concert is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Doors open 30 minutes before the concert. Parking is available on campus, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd.

The 2015-2016 PNC Bank Concert Artist Series is underwritten by PNC Bank and the UT College of Arts and Letters. For more information, contact caldean@ut.edu or go to www.ut.edu/sykeschapel.