Elspeth Wyllie

Pianist

Elspeth performs as a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist throughout the UK. Her debut CD, “Enigmas” by Divine Art Records, was released to critical acclaim. It features Elgar’s Enigmas Variations for solo piano, and rare chamber music by other 20th-century British composers.

The recording brings together several of Elspeth’s close performing colleagues: Claire Overbury (flautist), Catherine Backhouse (mezzo soprano), and the Amalie Trio – with Catherine and Alexa Beattie (violist). Elspeth has loved making chamber music from a young age, with limitless opportunities as a pupil at St Mary’s Music School. Treasured memories include performing Schumann’s piano quintet, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto no 4, and Mozart’s clarinet quintet.

Elspeth is passionate about programming quality repertoire that isn’t widely-known.  Amalie Trio has performed three fantastic and dramatic trios by William Bolcom, John Duke and Charles Loeffler, that are hardly ever played, alongside the very popular Zwei Gesange by Brahms.  Commissions and contemporary works include duos by Joseph Atkins, Bernard Hughes, and Sally Beamish, and trios by Oliver Searle and Tom David Wilson. Catherine and Elspeth are thrilled to have discovered a hugely rich repertoire for Emotionally Volatile, their programme of songs written exclusively by women composers.

Coaching & Accompanying

Elspeth studied Piano Accompaniment at the Royal Academy of Music, winning the main RAM Club Prize. She has accompanied and supported many choirs and choral societies in rehearsals and performances, a highlight being Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy. She has invaluable skills as a coach, bringing her musical insight and knowledge of rehearsing and performing to 1-1 sessions, with musicians of all ages and abilities. Elspeth currently leads a weekly song class at The Conservatoire, Blackheath.

She has extensive experience of working in a variety of settings:

  • assisting professionals prepare for concerto performances or orchestral auditions
  • accompanying grade exams, auditions for music college and school scholarships
  • playing for conducting workshops, vocal courses, summer schools