"From the moment Emmanuel stepped onto the stage, he held the audience in the palm of his hand." - Norman Cutter, Chairman of WACIDOM lunchtime recitals.
Named as ‘one to watch’ by The Independent newspaper in April 2013, twenty four year old Emmanuel Vass is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most charismatic pianists on the contemporary scene. 2013 has already seen the launch of his first CD – From Bach to Bond – and his first UK recital tour under the same heading. The tour, which took in seven venues across the North of England and culminated in his London debut at Steinway Hall and St James’s Piccadilly, attracted considerable media interest, including a live broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune.
The Bach to Bond title he chose for the CD and tour reflects both Manny’s eclectic taste in music and his versatility as a pianist. He is as at ease with the challenges of Bach as with the demanding pianistic technique required for his own arrangements – in the manner of Liszt - of the James Bond theme and Bohemian Rhapsody. (His performances of these have drawn huge attention on Youtube).
This supreme versatility is also revealed in the calibre and variety of his recent engagements. Manny’s busy solo recital diary has included performances at The Bridgewater Hall (Manchester), Sheffield Cathedral, Leeds College of Music, the Long Gallery at Castle Howard and Hexham Abbey, as well as at the prestigious London venues Steinway Hall, St Lawrence Jewry and St James’s Piccadilly. He has performed for Lord Levy and the Russian ambassador in the Golden Room in Kensington Palace Gardens and for the French ambassador at The Lowry Centre in Salford. At the Variety Club Jubilee Ball he played for the Prince and Princess of Monaco on the same programme as international artists The Manfreds, the boy band Blake, and Lulu.
In January and February 2012 Emmanuel was Yamaha’s ‘Unsigned Artist of the Month’ and in September 2012 he made his first BBC Radio 3 appearance as part of a Radio 3 masterclass. Presented by David Owen-Norris and filmed in front of a live audience at BBC Broadcasting House, London, the masterclass is available to watch on the BBC Youtube channel.
Emmanuel Vass was born in the Philippines and grew up in East Yorkshire. Having passed Grade 8 piano with distinction at the age of 15, he subsequently studied with Robert Markham at Yorkshire Young Musicians, the centre for the advanced training for gifted young musicians based at Leeds College of Music. This was followed by four years at the Royal Northern College of Music, where Manny studied with John Gough and was supported by scholarships from the Leverhulme Scholarship Trust and the Sir John Manduell Scholarship Trust. He graduated in 2011.
-Written by Marian Blaikley
Bridgewater Hall recital, 12.45pm, Thursday, 5th April
Manny is delighted to announce that the Bridgewater Hall have selected him to perform as part of their "Bridgewater Introducing" season in the Stalls Cafe Bar of the Hall. This season is aimed at providing the emerging artists of Manchester a chance to perform in one of the world's leading concert venues, in a relaxed and informal environment. Entry is free, so come and relax with a drink from the bar whilst listening to the music of Bach, Haydn and Rachmaninov with some James Bond thrown in!
Castle Howard informal recital, 12pm, Saturday 7th April
Following Emmanuel's popular and very well received recitals during Castle Howard's summer and winter seasons in 2010 and 2011, he will be returning once more to perform on the Bosendorfer grand piano situated the Long Gallery of Castle Howard. Listen to a mix of classical and popular solo piano performed in one of Lonely Planet Guide's "Top Ten Greatest Mansions and Grand Houses"!
Wakefield Cathedral recital, 1pm, Tuesday 10th April
Emmanuel will perform as part of the Tuesday lunchtime concert series at Wakefield Cathedral. The programme will include works by Bach, Chopin and Ernesto Lecuona. Entry is free.
Alderley Edge Fesitval Hall accompaniment and performance, 7.30pm Saturday 28th April
Manny will be taking part in a fantastic evening of music and dance by accompanying talented young singers and instrumentalists from Alderley Edge in the beautiful Festival Hall. The concert aims to raise money for the charitable campaign, "Because I Am A Girl", run by Plan UK. As well as accompanying, Emmanuel will also be performing his own arrangement of the British rock classic, "Bohemian Rhapsody" which is not to be missed! Ticket: £8 adults, £4 children.
BBC1 Look North Leeds feature, Thursday, 8th March 2012
Manny Vass will be featuring on BBC1 Look North regional news on Thursday, 8th March. This feature will be to mark the launch of the brand new Cavendish Piano range; an exciting range of British pianos specially manufactured and produced in Yorkshire.
Woldgate College workshop and performance, Thursday, 7pm 22nd March
Emmanuel is looking forward to returning to his old school in the East Riding in order to give a workshop to young, talented musicians from the area. He will then be forming a part of the lineup for the Woldgate College Easter concert, performing a short programme of Chopin, Rachmaninov, and even a James Bond medley!
Emmanuel announced as Yamaha's "Unsigned Artist of the Month"
It is with great pleasure that Yamaha have nominated Manny as their "Unsigned Artist of the Month", a status he will hold from January 16-February 16th. This has been featured in Yamaha's monthly "Round Up" January publication. More exciting information to follow!
Chester Federation of Arts lunchtime recital, Wesley Church Centre, CH2 1DG. 12.45pm Tuesday, 17th January 2012
Emmanuel is looking forward to beginning the 2012 season in Chester's beautiful Wesley Church, where he will be performing a programme of Bach, Haydn, Brahms, Rachmaninov and Gershwin. Tickets cost £3 and are available by calling (01244) 379275. For more information visit: http://www.musicinchester.co.uk
WACIDOM lunchtime recital, Holy Trinity Church, Warrington WA1 1XG, 12.30pm Saturday, 28th January 2012
After giving a successful recital as a member of the Wolds Duo last year, Manny will be returning to perform for the Warrington Arts Council Initiative for the Development of Music concert series. These concerts are free and take place in Holy Trinity Church, which is in the centre of Warrington. For further information please visit: http://www.musicinwarrington.org.uk/
Bubwith All Saints Church recital, 6.30pm Sunday, 29th January 2012
Manny Vass will be headlining alongside talented local musicians to raise money for the fantastic 12th Century church in Bubwith, Yorkshire. Tickets are strictly limited, advance purchase is advised. Available from the Jug and Bottle, call (01757) 289 707.
Castle Howard Recital, 1pm Tuesday, 29th November 2011
Following his successful and well received recitals in 2010, Emmanuel has been invited back to Castle Howard to perform on the antique Bosendorfer grand piano, situated in the Long Gallery. This stunning stately home in the heart of Yorkshire was recently cited as "One of the world's top ten greatest mansions and grand houses" in Lonely Planet's 1,000 Ultimate Sights, what better place to hear Emmanuel's music! For more information please visit: http://www.castlehoward.co.uk/House-and-Gardens/Discover-the-House.html
Thicket Priory Recital, YO19 6DE, 7.30pm Saturday, 26th November 2011
Thicket Priory is a beautiful Carmelite Monastery situated in the Yorkshire village of Thorganby, a 20 minute drive south of York. In the first half of the concert, Emmanuel will be accompanying two talented Yorkshire Young Musicians Katherine Raven (violin) and Katie Wood (soprano). The second half sees Emmanuel performing solo piano works by composers such as Haydn, Rachmaninov and Gershwin. Tickets are £7.00 which includes interval refreshments; proceeds from the concert will help contribute towards the fantastic work that The Salvation Army carries out over the Christmas period. To reserve tickets please call Nick on (01904) 448 717
Live BBC 6Music broadcast, "Ghosts of Gone Birds", 7pm Monday, 31st October 2011
Emmanuel will be forming a part of an ensemble headed by Jimi Goodwin from the international award winning band "Doves" to perform "The Bird Effect". Tune in early to listen to this stunning piece performed live! Click here to listen to the BBC iPlayer live recording, from about 39 minutes into the Marc Riley show:http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00ljy7s
Shooting and recording sessions at Beverley Minster, Saturday 15th - Tuesday 18th October 2011
Emmanuel's relationship with Beverley Minster has been blossoming steadily over the years, with his regular recitals becoming more and more popular and always being very well received. Beverley Minster has kindly offered Emmanuel the use of the fantastic Steinway grand piano in order to film and record a number of videos and audio tracks for promotional purposes.
Performance for the Rotary District 1040 Conference, 11.30am Saturday 15th October 2011
The Rotary District 1040 encompasses most of Yorkshire, and this year's annual conference will be held at the beautiful Scarborough Spa Complex. For this performance Emmanuel will be appearing next to talented musicians Amy-Jayne Milton and Gi Dong Park, to perform for some 300 Rotarians.
Performance for French Ambassador and VIP guests, 6.30pm Thursday 13th October 2011
Emmanuel has been invited by the French Ambassador to perform for the VIP exhibtion opening and Private View of Adolphe Valette: A Pioneer of Impressionism in Manchester. The invite-only opening takes place in the spectacular waterside building The Lowry, Salford Quays, which Emmanuel is very proud being a part of.
Emmanuel Church Recital, 11am Saturday, 8th October 2011
This Didsbury Coffee Concert series will take place in the beautiful Emmanuel Church, Didsbury. The recital is split into two halves: an RNCM Young Artist will perform in the first half, and Emmanuel will finish the recital.
Springfield Methodist Church Recital, 1pm Friday, 30th September 2011
Emmanuel is delighted to be returning for the 3rd consecutive year to perform for Fylde County Arts. This year's programme features everything from Brahms to a virtuosic arrangement of the theme from the film, "Lawrence of Arabia". This recital promises to be well attended so arrive early to avoid disappointment! Clickfor more information.
Music fit for a Prince, Sunday 4th September 2011
It is with great pleasure to announce that Emmanuel will be working alongside internationally acclaimed artists Blake, The Manfreds and Lulu to perform for the Prince and Princess of Monaco to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Variety Club charity in Yorkshire. He will begin the evening's entertainment by performing an hour long programme in front of His and Her Serene Highness plus esteemed invited guests.