Meet the Performer: Coral Lancaster

Today we feature Cellist Coral Lancaster, one of the soloists in the star-studded line up at the 24 November ‘Music of Oz’ concert.

Born in Perth, Coral became a Masters graduate from the University of Western Australia with a distinguished line of teachers including Gregory Baron, Suzanne Wijsman, David Pereira and David Waterman. In 1997, Coral moved to the UK beginning a six year stint with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Although she is now firmly based in the UK, her Australians origins are firmly embedded in her psyche:

‘I love the vitality of the London music scene, but I haven’t forgotten my Australian roots, and I’m always interested to perform Australian music. There is an authentic voice and a flavour of wild earthiness that I love to explore.’ Coral Lancaster

Coral Lancaster on tour in Japan

Coral is currently based in Oxford where her busy freelance career maintains her connection with the BSO as well as the Philharmonia and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. During recent months Coral has performed on tour with the Philharmonia Orchestra in Taiwan, Japan, Italy, Spain, Germany and Belgium. Coral also gives solo recitals and plays with chamber music groups including the Lyric Piano Trio, Jubilee Ensemble and the Musicians of the Dreaming Spires.

‘Stunning, beautifully rich, warm sound’
– Newbury Weekly News

In the forthcoming Music of Oz concert on 24 November Coral will perform two works as part of the Music of Oz programme from two of Australia’s most interesting contemporary composers.

Peter Sculthorpe’s Tailitnama Song is for cello and piano but was originally composed in 1974 for for soprano, six cellos and percussion. The title Tailitnama refers to an Aboriginal totemic centre in Central Australia and the music reflects the glow of the mountains at dawn and the singing of native Ilbirbia bluebirds as they soar into the sky above.

The other work is Carl Vine’s Inner World for cello with recorded accompaniment. Composed for Australian cellist David Pereira, the sounds accompanying the solo cello are derived entirely from a recording of David playing the cello. So Coral Lancaster will play live but in an enveloping shroud of sound.

Hear Coral Lancaster perform as part of the CAM concert at St George’s, Hanover Square, London on Friday 24 November.

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