Sophia Rahman, Artistic Director/Piano

Photo: Kaupo Kikkas

Known for her ‘supreme chamber-musical responsiveness’ (The Arts Desk), pianist Sophia Rahman particularly enjoys championing the work of underrepresented composers. Sophia made the first UK recording of Florence Price’s piano concerto for broadcast on BBC Radio 3 with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. She has made several discs featuring the work of female composers such as Rebecca Clarke and together with duo partner Andres Kaljuste is committed to performing newly commissioned and undiscovered Estonian repertoire alongside the music of Arvo Pärt, with whom the duo has enjoyed a long working association. The duo’s first disc of violin and piano music of (Pärt’s composition teacher) Heino Eller, recorded at the Arvo Pärt Centre, is due for release in May 2024.

Sophia has toured extensively, appearing at top festivals like Gstaad, IMS Prussia Cove, Kuhmo and Pärnu, and collaborating with world-class musicians including Klaus Mäkelä, Augustin, Hadelich and Steven Isserlis.

As Artistic Director of Whittington Music Festival Sophia has worked with distinguished singers Mark Padmore and Roderick Williams and mentored some of the brightest instrumental and vocal talents of the new generation.

Sophia has masterminded courses for aspiring Estonian chamber musicians at Tallinn College of Music and Ballet and the Arvo Pärt Centre, where she frequently appears as a recitalist.

Sophia has played for Steven Isserlis’ class at IMS Prussia Cove since 2011 and acted as class pianist for the legendary William Pleeth at the Britten-Pears School.

After attending the Yehudi Menuhin School, Sophia took a first-class honours degree in English from King’s College, London, completing postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music and winning the Royal Overseas League’s collaborative and chamber music piano awards in consecutive years.

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