Yena Gook (cello) & Anna Graham (piano) 

Free admission | Donations welcome

Programme 

Francis Poulenc – Cello Sonata Op. 143 

Olivier Messiaen – Catalogue d’oiseaux: Le Loriot 

Judith Weir – Unlocked 

Franz Schubert’s Moment Musical Op. 94, No. 6 

St James’s is grateful for the generous support of Rolex for this music programme.

The programme begins with Francis Poulenc’s Cello Sonata Op. 143, a work infused with the composer’s characteristic wit and emotional depth. Written in 1948, it blends elements of French neoclassicism with Poulenc’s signature charm and irony, making it a profound yet accessible piece. Next, Olivier Messiaen’s Catalogue d’oiseaux: Le Loriot transports the listener to the vivid, bird-filled landscapes of the composer’s imagination. Using complex rhythms, unique harmonic structures, and deep attention to color, Messiaen creates a musical environment that is at once otherworldly and breathtakingly beautiful. 

Judith Weir’s Unlocked provides a sharp contrast with its contemporary language. The piece explores rhythm and texture, engaging the performer and audience in its playful and innovative sounds. Lastly, Franz Schubert’s Moment Musical Op. 94, No. 6 offers a lyrical conclusion, its warm, flowing lines evoking a sense of calm and introspection. 

This varied program showcases the breadth of musical expression from different eras, offering both performers and listeners a rich, diverse journey through sound.  

Yena Gook is an Australian cellist currently in her final year of undergraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she is a Leverhulme Arts Scholar under the tutelage of Jo Cole. She is also grateful for the support of the Albert Cooper Trust and the PPCA Trust. Her time at the Royal Academy of Music has been pivotal, marked by her artistic development and enhanced by masterclasses with distinguished musicians such as Natasha Brofsky, Steven Doane, Hannah Roberts, Sung-Won Yang, and Vaclav Petr. 

As an orchestral musician, Yena has worked with renowned conductors such as Sir Mark Elder, Edward Gardner, and John Wilson, and was principal cellist in opera projects with Johann Stuckenbruck and Lada Valesova. These experiences have given her a well-rounded approach to music-making, both in ensembles and as a soloist. 

Among her memorable solo performances, Yena delivered a captivating rendition of ‘Katharsis’ by Cheryl Frances-Hoad with The Purcell School Contemporary Ensemble at the Cadogan Hall. Her talent has garnered recognition in several international competitions, including a Gold Award at the New Talent British International Youth Music Competition and a first-place finish at the Brisbane International Youth Music Festival, which offered her the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall. During her tenure at the Royal Academy of Music, Yena has collaborated with peers on a diverse array of solo and chamber works, showcasing her artistry in venues such as Unity101 Radio Station and the Budleigh Music Festival. 

A dedicated chamber musician, Yena was an active member of the Lucent Quartet from 2022 to 2024. The quartet was accepted into the Frost Trust Advanced Specialist String Ensemble Training (A.S.S.E.T.) Scheme, and was coached by Hélène Clement, James Sleigh, Levon Chilingirian, and David Smith. As a quartet, they performed in various venues, including St James’s Piccadilly and Regent Hall, and received a scholarship to participate in the Musica Compostela Summer Course in 2023. They were invited back as the Quartet in Residence for 2024. Beyond the concert stage, Yena is committed to outreach and community engagement. Through the Royal Academy’s Open Academy program, she has collaborated with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) schools and the Royal London Hospital, demonstrating how music can serve as a transformative medium for shared creative experiences. Additionally, Yena contributed to the ‘Connecting Stars Students Programme’ in partnership with Constella Opera Ballet,delivering live, interactive virtual performances for care home residents throughout the UK, further enriching her impact on the community. 

An active performer in the Middle East, UK, and Europe, Anna Graham maintains a busy schedule as a soloist, collaborative pianist, and music educator. Her experience growing up immersed in many cultures has cultivated a unique voice that distinctively colours her sound, described as “hypnotic, beautifully atmospheric and a joy to listen to” (the National UAE). In 2023 she made her Wigmore Hall debut, performing a contemporary work, ‘The Abduction’. 

Whilst Anna’s engagement with contemporary composition has resulted in collaborations with local Irish composers such as Elaine Agnew, she also demonstrates a flair for French music. Her most recent Debussy performance displayed ‘true artistry’. Anna’s upcoming evening recital at the Arte Music Academy in Cyprus, and her performance with the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra will provide a thoughtful programme consisting of French keyboard music from Rameau to Saint-Saëns and Messiaen. 

Chamber music is another field to which Anna shows great dedication. Alongside diligently working towards a BMus in piano performance at the Royal Academy of Music, studying with Professor Mei Ting Sun, she frequently performs ensemble repertoire. This includes duo works and piano trios by a wide variety of composers, such as Barber, Debussy and Arensky. Outside her studies, she is passionate about working with children, imparting her enthusiasm and love for music to the next generation. Additionally, she has given lectures and taught masterclasses at schools in Abu Dhabi, as well as collaborating with their music scholars for concerts and recordings. 

Presented in association with Royal Academy of Music