Toad Lane Concerts: Ellada-Angelina Pavlou piano

Ellada-Angelina Pavlou

Ellada Angelina Pavlou played the vintage 1933 Challen Grand piano at St Mary’s several times as a postgraduate student, solo or with other musicians. It was wonderful to welcome her back to Toad Lane as she embarks on an international career (negotiations for this engagement were conducted between Rochdale, Greece and Vienna).

Ellada was born in Xanthi, Greece, starting piano lessons at the age of five. She completed her master’s degree and postgraduate diploma at the RNCM having graduated initially from Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London.

Ellada has won prizes in international piano competitions, including 1st prize and a scholarship at the Kozani International Music Festival. She regularly performs as a soloist and in chamber music and is currently a member of the Northern Film Orchestra.

Ellada played a varied, mainly Romantic programme in the concert on Wednesday 9 November and carried it off with maturity and aplomb.

The silky scalic passages of Schubert’s Impromptu in E flat major, Opus 90 led to one of Beethoven’s own favourite Sonatas, the Opus 78. These and the charming Chopin Waltz op.69 no.1, were delightful nineteenth century examples exquisitely played. They were followed by twentieth century Rachmaninov Preludes op.32 no.5 and no.12, and the dazzling Danzas Argentinas by Ginastera.

Ellada also brought a contemporary work by compatriot, Panos Demopoulos; his four movement Farewells explored the innards of the instrument as well as the keyboard, which provoked much thought. She played this from the score as is customary with modern pieces, otherwise there were notable feats of memory, culminating in Grünfeld’s virtuoso extravaganza on themes by Johann Strauss, Soiree de Vienne. This beautifully celebrated the city where she is currently based.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade 1 listed church of St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available now, but the venue is Covid-19 compliant. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

To see details of forthcoming Toad Lane Concerts, click here.

Dr Joe Dawson