On Sunday, March 24 at 3pm there will be a concert with a difference at Hellens, Much Marcle.

The acclaimed pianist Reiko Fujisawa, with the aid of well-known actor and narrator Crawford Logan, will present a portrait of Clara Schumann in this the bi-centenary year of her birth. Clara was, at once, a leading pianist of her day, the wife of one great composer and the intimate friend of another, mother of eight children, composer and teacher. Her life was marked by tragedy and distinguished by a career which spanned more than 60 years.

She is seen now as a strikingly independent woman, a woman of her time yet one who worked tirelessly against the grain of assumption and prejudice. Reiko will perform works by Clara and Robert Schumann, their contemporaries Chopin, Liszt and Brahms and a celebrated movement from the ‘Pathétique’ Sonata by Beethoven, a composer whose music made a profound impact upon Clara.

Originally from Japan, Reiko Fujisawa, who has made her home in England for many years, is a pianist of the greatest sensitivity who, in her performances, seeks to express the personal warmth of communication between composer and performer, and performer and audience. She has appeared at prestigious venues across the UK and abroad. Crawford Logan has appeared in a number of television series, including Dr Who, EastEnders, Secret Army and Outlander and, on radio, has played the role of Paul Temple and has been in The Archers twice ... as two different characters. To book, call The Courtyard box office on 01432 340555 or visit courtyard.org.uk to book online.