Sedbergh Music Festival 2010

Alexa Wightman and Helena Morwood

Alexa and Helena first met when they were both acting as accompanists for children taking part in a Rotary Music Festival in Carnforth. Immediately a bond of mutual admiration and respect for each other blossomed into friendship – it was musical love at first sight!

Helena, the brains and younger of the duo, read music at King’s College Cambridge whilst Alexa played herself into the Royal Scottish Academy of Music in Glasgow at the tender age of 16. Their musical careers have been diverse and exciting – from performance and teaching to research. Both are passionate about accompanying. Helena is the devoted accompanist and musical coach at Queen Elizabeth School in Kirkby Lonsdale whilst Alexa held a similar beloved and exciting position at Sedbergh School during the last century.

Helena is a gentle cyclist fuelled by her love of chocolate. Alexa is obsessional about travelling to countries with very different cultures from our own and this has fuelled her desire to experience as much world music at first hand as possible while she is still young(ish).

Helena on Alexa: windswept and exotic!

Alexa on Helena: an impish Leprechaun with a touch of liquid Gaelic humour!

Concert Programme

Handel: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

Mozart: Sonata in Bb major K 358

• Allegro
• Adagio
• Molto Presto

Beethoven Theme and 7 Variations W00 74 ‡

Poulenc Sonata ‡

Debussy: Petite Suite

• En Bateau
• Cortege
• Menuet
• Ballet

Gershwin: Preludes

• Allegro ben ritmico e deciso
• andante con moto e poco rubato
• allegro ben ritmico e deciso

Vaughan-Williams: prelude on Rhosymedre.

‡ - indicates a change from the earlier advertised programme