Andrew Beer (violin), Sarah Watkins (piano), Lev Sivkov (cello)

The Levansa Trio was formed specially to include the brilliant Russian cellist Lev Sivkov when he visited New Zealand for an extensive tour in 2019. Now we are thrilled to be welcoming him back to once again tour in a piano trio with distinguished musicians Andrew Beer (violin) and Sarah Watkins (piano). Lev was born in Siberia and moved to Switzerland and Germany to further his studies. He has held positions as Principal Cellist with the Royal Danish Opera, and Zurich Opera, Switzerland. He is increasingly active on the international stage as recitalist and concerto soloist. Lev is a laureate of numerous competitions, most notably the prestigious Naumburg Competition in New York, which he won in 2015. In 2018, he won 3rd prize in the Isang Yun Competition in Korea.

The Trio will play Beethoven’s first piano trio, followed by two brief intriguing items: Mozart’s well-known Adagio gets a new treatment from 20th century composer Arvo Pärt and Bach’s Chorales will be “reinvented” by New Zealand composer Reuben Jelleyman. Then follows Tchaikovsky’s magnificent
piano trio, written in memory of his friend Anton Rubinstein. With its rich textures, wonderful melodies and novel form, it is possibly the most heartfelt and beautiful elegy ever composed.