Mareike Schünemann – Cello & Russell Poyner – Guitar
Cello and guitar, two instruments with a unique timbre, depth and sweet melodiousness. With passion and virtuosity, Mareike Schünemann (Cello) and Russell Poyner (Guitar), join together these two distinctive sound worlds. They have shown with their performances a highly imaginative programme, ranging from Baroque music, through Spanish music and the rhythms of South America to works by contemporary composers.
“The listeners were left with a very good feeling in their ears and stomachs. The concert by the Elliot Duo allowed us to take a deep breath, while at the same time the Baroque, Spanish and South American rhythms were simply thrilling”
Rhein Zeitung
(Weltmusikfestival Horizonte 2016)
“…Above all, the virtuosity and love that both performers showed to the music and especially to their chosen instruments was clear for all to see. Sometimes happy, sometimes melancholic, sometimes dance-like…”
Westerwälder Zeitung (Oktober, 2017)
Born in Kassel, Germany, Mareike Schünemann received here first cello lessons at the age of seven. She went on to study with Wolfram Geiß at the Musikakademie Kassel, followed by studies at the Robert – Schumann – Hochschule in Düsseldorf with Professor Johannes Goritzki.
Mareike gained experience with different orchestras, such as the Jugendsinfonieorchester des Landes Hessen, the Folkwang Kammerorchester Essen and the Bielefelder Philharmonikern.
From 2006 – 2016 she was a member of the two time “Echo Klassik” award winning “dogma Chamber orchestra”, with whom she also took part in concert tours to Brazil and the USA. Since 2007 Mareike is a member of the Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie, Koblenz, Germany.
Her dedication to chamber music, sees Mareike perform regularly in diverse ensembles. In 2016, as well as founding the Elliot Duo, she also formed the Trio21 with the violinist Katharina Wimmer and pianist Ingrid Wendel. Mareike is also a member of the Koblenz Guitar Festival String Quartet.
Russell Poyner’s performances have been described by critics as “enchanting”, full of “energy and vigour”, a “musical journey through the diverse beauty of sound” (Rhein Zeitung), and by BBC Radio 2 as “really musical performances of character and commitment”.
Russell studied at the Birmingham Conservatoire with Simon Dinnigan. During this time he won the Birmingham Conservatoire Guitar Prize, and was awarded a scholarship from the Banners Gate Trust.
He also studied with Maestro Oscar Ghiglia at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, Siena, Italy, winning a scholarship from the Accademia Chigiana and Arts Council England, and later went on to study with Professor Hubert Käppel at the Koblenz International Guitar Academy, where he was awarded the postgraduate Soloist Diploma.
Russell has won prizes in national and international competitions. These include runner-up in the BBC Radio 2 Young Musician of the Year, and 2nd prize at the 10th Koblenz International Guitar Competition.
He has given performances across Europe, America, and Brazil, including concerts at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Bolivar Hall, London; the Rhein Mosel Halle, Koblenz, Germany; the Secs Centre, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Theatro Municipal Niteroi, Brazil. His full London debut celebrated the centenary of the Spanish composer Antonio José with a concert at the Imperial War Museum. This concert was heralded as a “triumph” by Robert Matthew-Walker in Musical Opinion. Russell has also performed at the Bolivar Hall Guitar Festival, London, Gevelsburg International Guitar festival, Germany, and Koblenz International Guitar Festival.
As a soloist with orchestra, Russell has performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie. His performances have also been broadcast on BBC Radio 2, television in Germany, England and in Brazil on TV Globo’s ‘Good Morning Brazil’ programme, live to an audience of over a million people.
Russell’s first Album, together with the oboist Monika Dawidek „Oblivion – Latin American Music for Oboe & Guitar“, was released in summer 2015 by the record label First Hand Records.
Current Programme
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
From the Cembalokonzert, BWV 1056
-Largo
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Sonate E-Moll (RV 40 – F.XIV No. 5)
-Largo
-Allegro
-Largo
-Allegro
Ástor Piazzolla (1921-1992)
From Histoire du Tango
-Cafe 1930
-Nightclub 1960
Ástor Piazzolla
-Oblivion
Radames Gnattali (1906-1988)
Sonata for Cello & Guitar
-Allegretto comodo
-Adagio
-Con spirito
Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
Suite Populaire Espagnole
– El Paño Moruno
– Nana
– Canción
– Polo
– Asturiana
– Jota
Manuel de Falla
-La Vida Breve (Primera Danza Espanola)
Joaquin Nin (1879-1949)
Seguida Espanola
-Vieja Castilla
-Murciana
-Asturiana
-Andaluza
Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959)
Bachianas Brasileiras No.5
-Aria (Cantilena)
Johann Sebastian Bach
From the 3. Suite für Orchester, BWV 1068
-Air
Seguida Espanola IV. Andaluza by Joaquin Nin (1879-1949)
Sonata For Cello & Guitar I. Allegretto Comodo by Radames Gnattali (1906-1988)
Russell Poyner 