Lunchtime Concert: Hannah Lewis, cello & Neil Crossland, piano

The Duo: Crossland & Lewis

Neil Crossland and Hannah Lewis join forces as a cello/piano duo, combining Neil’s visionary interpretive and compositional voice with Hannah’s refined and passionate chamber-music approach. The alliance draws on their mutual affinity for expressive depth, technical precision, and repertoire that spans tradition and new horizons.
Their collaboration offers audiences a fresh dialogue between cello and piano: Neil’s rich pianistic and compositional background supports and enhances Hannah’s lyrical cellistic voice. Together they explore standard repertoire, arrangements and new works, bringing insight, warmth and rigour to their programming.

Neil Crossland – Piano

Neil Crossland is a distinguished British pianist and composer, originally from Yorkshire. He began his musical studies at the age of six and later attended the Royal College of Music in London, where he earned top prizes in both piano and composition. His solo career has taken him to major venues including the Barbican, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Wigmore Hall, and he is particularly noted for his complete performances of Beethoven’s 32 Piano Sonatas at St James’s Piccadilly.

As a recording artist, Neil has produced over twenty recordings for the Deltatel label, including the complete Beethoven sonatas as well as works by Schumann, Liszt, and Poulenc. His creative output extends into composing and arranging, with an emphasis on both accessibility and musical integrity. He is also deeply committed to music education and new music, leading workshops and masterclasses, and his work is regularly featured on BBC Radio 3 and 4. Neil collaborates with the London Composers Forum and Colchester New Music, and has worked with over one hundred composers in performance, recording, and workshop contexts.

Hannah Lewis – Cello

Hannah Lewis is a British cellist born in Watford. She began studying the cello at the age of five and obtained a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music with David Smith. Hannah has forged a varied career as both performer and educator, with a strong and continuing passion for chamber music. In 2012 she co‑founded the Cygnus Piano Trio, with whom she studied in Italy at the Accademia Walter Stauffer and worked with artists such as Alfred Brendel and Raphael Wallfisch.

Her performance experience includes solo appearances at St James’s Piccadilly, a complete cycle of Beethoven string quartets at St Stephen’s Kensington, and a tour of 'The Lost Words' project with choir and chamber group. Hannah’s work reflects a deep musical understanding and an eloquent, expressive approach to performance.