Svyati Duo

Rebecca Hepplewhite | Cello
Julian Collings | Organ

ACCLAIM

The duo has quickly risen to prominence in the UK and beyond through its innovative programming and exceptional musical standards. Both performers are artists of the highest order. Rebecca Hepplewhite combines unbridled passion with brilliant virtuosity, richness of tone and color, rhythmic control, superb intonation and musical sensitivity. Julian Collings combines technical aplomb with collaborative sensitivity and stylistic understanding. This is an excellent representation of an instrumental pairing that deserves to be heard more often.

The American Organist

Cello-organ duos are not exactly thick on the ground. Indeed, the question that
immediately comes to mind is whether the cello can hold its own in such a tandem...As the music on this CD proves, the answer to that inquiry is an unqualified “yes” —and the partnership for the most part even proves felicitous. The performances are exemplary. Rebecca Hewes has a sumptuous, mahogany tone and bold arresting sound, and plays with both power and delicacy as required. Julian Collings is an able accompanist with an excellent ear for apt choices of registrations and stops.

Fanfare Magazine

BIOGRAPHY

Widely acknowledged as the world’s leading cello and organ duo, cellist Rebecca Hepplewhite and organist Julian Collings of the SVYATI DUO are celebrated by audiences and critics alike for their fine performances and eclectic recordings. They are committed to performing music that brings the best out in their unique instrumental combination, performing an ever-changing programme of original works, transcriptions, and new commissions.

Since its formation in 2009, the Svyati Duo has performed worldwide in venues of all sizes, from churches and town halls to major cathedrals and concert halls. Highlights include performances at the Hong Kong Cultural Center (where they played to an audience of two thousand), St Paul's Cathedral in London, Tokyo University Concert Hall, and a concert at Worcester Cathedral, which included a performance of their original transcription of Elgar's Cello Concerto. They undertake numerous engagements throughout the USA, and in 2020, were invited to perform two recitals for the American Guild of Organists National Convention in Atlanta.

The duo takes its name from Julian and Rebecca's first collaboration as conductor and cellist in a performance of Sir John Tavener's masterpiece 'Svyati' for solo cello and choir. Tavener subsequently became the duo's patron the following year until his death in 2013. Rebecca and Julian have recorded two CDs on the Regent Records label to unanimous critical acclaim. The duo also features regularly on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, Lyric RTE, and American Public Media’s ‘Pipedreams’ broadcast. Their third album will be released later this year.

In their concerts, Rebecca and Julian explore a rich and diverse repertoire, from Baroque sonatas and chorale preludes to substantial romantic and contemporary works, including many newly commissioned works and transcriptions. Their passion for breathing life into this neglected genre has rewarded them with the discovery of many forgotten masterpieces, and their passion for new music has led them to commission works from leading composers, including David Bednall, Russell Hepplewhite, Colin Riley, Iain Farrington, Timothy Salter, and Christopher Schmitz. They were honoured that Naji Hakim dedicated a new version of his ‘Suite Rhapsodique’ to them in 2025.