“The persuasive assurance of
these performers is consistently of
the highest calibre.”
The Marsyas Trio is formed of Royal Academy of Music graduates, flautist Helen Vidovich from Australia, Canadian cellist Valerie Welbanks and Belarusian pianist Olga Stezhko.
Showcasing a diverse repertoire from the Classical and Romantic eras to the present day, the Marsyas Trio’s programming illuminates forgotten masterpieces, whilst inspiring a generation of new works through commissioning and recording projects.
Concert highlights include performances at Kettle’s Yard, Conway Hall, Howard Assembly Room, the Red House Aldeburgh for Britten-Pears Arts, Spitalfields Music, BBC Radio 3, Three Choirs Festival, the King’s Hall in Ilkley, as well as performances in Scotland, China, Switzerland, Bulgaria, and the USA & Canada.
The Trio’s most recent CD release on the Métier label - ‘Alternative Readings’ - has been received with critical acclaim. ‘This remarkable sequence of compositions by Michael Finnissy’ (Gramophone June 2024) is a collaboration with award-winning mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean and was awarded 5-stars in BBC Music Magazine, as Chamber Choice of the Month.
The Marsyas Trio’s past CDs include ‘A Triple Portrait’ (Meridian Records 2015), featuring themusic of Elena Firsova, and ‘In the Theatre of Air’ (NMC Recordings 2018), an album of music by living British women composers, which debuted at No. 7 on the classical charts.
As passionate cross-art collaborators and educators, the ensemble has a diverse portfolio of multimedia projects and outreach for children and teenagers across the UK. They have worked with many of the UK’s leading composers, as well as celebrities such as the late Janey Godley and Ed Balls.
Since 2022, the Trio has been resident at the University of Cambridge (Churchill College) as Artist By-Fellows. The ensemble was selected as the FUAM Ensemble in Residence at Leeds University in 2024-25.
The Marsyas Trio takes its name from Greek mythology, inspired by the bold, spirited passion of the celebrated pipe-playing satyr who dared to compete with Apollo in a musical contest.
“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.”
“...these fine artists weaving some tremendous sounds around each other. They give this work a terrific performance finding out all of its depth and emotion. ”
“Premiere recordings of the captivating, profound music of Elena Firsova...performed with devoted insight and sensitivity by the Marsyas Trio. ”
“The adventurous programming and the committed playing of the Trio made this a rewarding evening of music making.”
Marsyas Trio is generously supported by:
