Helen Vidovich - flute, Olga Stezhko - piano, Val Welbanks - cello
LATEST NEWS
In 2026–27, the Marsyas Trio is excited to embark on an ambitious Franco-British collaboration between the Trio, composers Dr Ewan Campbell and Thierry Pécou, and Professor of Musicology Nicolas Darbon. This cross-cultural exchange will include a series of concerts showcasing new works by Ewan and Thierry, written for trio and voice, which will extend the musical and political commentary on the impacts of colonialism begun over a century ago by Maurice Ravel’s Chansons madécasses, the initial inspiration for this project.
In addition to the performances, a series of public talks involving Churchill College, University of Cambridge and Aix-Marseille Université will offer an opportunity for informed discussion concerning the complexities of post-colonialism, and a chance to engage positively with an important subject that concerns us all.
The Trio is also thrilled to embark on two new collaborations with the exceptional young Scottish composer Lisa Robertson and Richard Causton, Professor of Composition at the University of Cambridge and winner of the 2006 Royal Philharmonic Society Award. The ensemble will commission and promote their new works in the UK and internationally.
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The Marsyas Trio is delighted to have been awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Thea Musgrave Performance Grant in October 2025.
In collaboration with award-winning mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean, they will create a series of events celebrating Thea’s remarkable catalogue of works.
The Trio’s Thea Musgrave Day will take place at the University of Leeds, working side by side with its students to engage the next generation of music-makers with Thea’s compositions, including Chamber Concerto No. 2, Aria, Primavera, Taking Turns and Orfeo V.
The ensemble - together and individually - plans to feature Thea’s works in their concert programming from 2026 to 2028, including a tour of Scottish music societies and visits to other universities, where they aim to emulate the inaugural Thea Musgrave Day.
Read the full announcement here
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ABOUT THE MARSYAS TRIO
The Marsyas Trio’s position as one of the UK's foremost mixed chamber ensembles equips the group with a unique musical outlook.
For over a decade , the Marsyas Trio has been championing the vast body of repertoire for flute, cello and piano, and instrumental combination which originated in the Classical era with Haydn and Clementi.
The medium continued to evolve in tandem with the progress of instrument making, to the modern day where the musical possibilities have never been greater. The Trio continues to develop this tradition through commissioning, and through our commitment to presenting a balanced range of works by historic and living composers, offering audiences an interesting perspective on gender, societal and political themes.
The Marsyas Trio are the current Artists By-Fellows at Churchill College, University of Cambridge and were FUAM Ensemble in Residence at the University of Leeds in 2024-25.
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WHAT IS THE FLUTE-CELLO-PIANO TRIO?
The excerpts from the Marsyas Trio’s pre-concert talk about the classical origins and evolution of the flute-cello-piano trio alongside the progress of instrument making.
Clothworkers Hall, School of Music, University of Leeds, February 2024
“The persuasive assurance of these performers is consistently of the highest calibre. ”
“Thanks to the sensitive and musical playing of pianist Olga Stezhko…we were able to enjoy the ravishing sound of Helen Vidovich’s flute in its lowest register and the velvet tone of Val Welbanks’ cello, as well as the subtle contrast and interplay between the three instruments. The varied programme showed off to perfection the possibilities of this combination.”