Lunchtime Recital: Hannah Shilvock (bass clarinet) and Viola Lenzi (piano)

Known for her pioneering work in showcasing the bass clarinet’s virtuosity, Hannah has built a reputation as one of the foremost performers of this instrument. As a Selmer, BG France, RATstands, and DEBUT Classical Horizon Artist, she is celebrated for her innovative arrangements, including Debussy’s Cello Sonata for bass clarinet and piano, published by Alea Publishing, and Erik Satie’s Gymnopédie No.1.

With both undergraduate and master’s degrees specialising in bass clarinet, Hannah studied under renowned musicians Helen Paskins, Anthony Pike, and Paolo De Gaspari. Her musical expertise spans a wide range of roles, from soloist and chamber musician to orchestral performer. She is also a versatile woodwind doubler, proficient in Bb, Eb, and bass clarinets, flute/piccolo, and various saxophones.

Hannah is a keen educator, and has guest taught at Trinity Laban Conservatoire and at festivals in Europe.

In addition to her music career, Hannah is a passionate yoga teacher and founder of the Musicians Yoga Hub.

Italian-born Viola Lenzi started studying piano at the Pietro Mascagni Conservatoire in Livorno, where she received a first-class Bachelor’s under the guidance of Monica Cecchi and a Master’s in Piano Performance with Maurizio Baglini.

Viola moved to London in 2018 to study at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Greenwich where she completed her Postgraduate Advanced Diploma with Sergio De Simone and Martino Tirimo. During her studies she participated in many masterclasses given by prestigious musicians such as Micha Dacic, Daniel Rivera, Sergio De Simone, Jeffrey Swann, Pascal Rogé, Joaquín Achúcarro, Martino Tirimo, Cesare Castagnoli, Paolo Cuccaro, Megumi Masaki, Stephan Loges, Ailish Tyinan and Dr Emily Kilpatrick.

Viola took part in the New Lights Contemporary Festival, London Film Festival, won the Elizabeth Schumann Lieder Competition with the soprano Anna Marmion and was highly commended in the semi-final of the Soloist Competition at Trinity Laban for her performance of the Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor.

As passionate collaborative pianist, she has an active music duo with bass clarinetist Hannah Shilvock and a piano duo with Isabella Gori. Viola has worked as pianist at the Livorno Music Festival, as repetiteur of “All Aboard Opera!” company and she currently gives professional recitals in venues around the UK including Westminster Music Library, St George’s Bristol and Chichester Cathedral.

Programme:

Folkrlorico Nr2 by Sebastian Tozzola (7′)

Girl With the Flaxen Hair by Debussy (4′) – my own arrangement

Some Rivers by David Bennett Thomas (20′)

Insomniac Vs the Brain by John Sturt (5′) – commission, world premiere was in June 2025