CHECK OUT ALFIA'S MYSPACE
MYSPACE
Alfia Nakipbekova was born in Central Kazahkstan
and studied at the Moscow Conservertoire with
Mistislav Rostropovich. She also received masterclasses
from Daniel Shafran and in 1980 was awarded the
"Special Prize for Outstanding Mastery of
the Cello" at the Casals Competition in Budapest.
In 1981 she defected to the U.K. where she established
herself as a leading soloist and chamber musician.
At this time she was also one of the last masterclass
students to work with Jaqueline du Pre. She is
a member of the Bekova Trio which has won worldwide
acclaim for their performances and recordings
for Chandos Records. Their recording of Martinu's
chamber works was chosen as one of the best CDs
of 1998 by the BBC Classical Music Magazine. Their
latest recording of music by Charles Ives and
Rebecca Clarke was a Gramophone Magazine Critics
Choice for the Year 2000. Alfia frequently performs
recitals of solo cello works from J S Bach and
Paganini to Gubaidullina, Vasks and Hesford and
has a keen interest in new music and free improvisation.
Her recent "Bach Marathon" series in
London, Oxford, Aldeburgh, Melbourne and Brussels
received high critical acclaim.
"strikingly individual cellist"
Daniel Shafran
"sensitive and elegant... a real joy to
hear"
The Strad
"seamless legato characteristic of the best
Russian cellists" The Times
"...a substantial technique... the various
tempos were rock-solid and agreeable"
The Age, Melbourne Oct '98
"...phenomenal energy on the cello... This
was driven playing" The Arts on friday, Oct
'98
Alfia's One Woman Show at The Space, 2003
"The one-woman show "More Then Words"
is based on Alfia's own story. In this performance
she weaves memory, music and movement in an attempt
to find a true identity. The character of Musician
draws upon Alfia's unusual history and viewpoint
- an internationally acclaimed cellist, but also
a Russian defector who considers herself an alien,
not jus¯ to England but also to the planet
as a whole. With one foot in the spotlight and
the other off the edge of the world, she must
make enough sense of her own life to be able to
share it with us. Whatever that means.
Words can't help with things there aren't words
for."
Devised by Alfia Nakipbekova and Andrew Jones.
Written and directed by Andrew Jones. Sound design
by James Hesford.
Alfia perform Zhukov's concerto for electric
cello conducted by Vladimir Ponkin
"Alfia Nakipbekova, disciple of Rostropovich,
the actress and virtuoso… her playing astounded
the festival audiences. She seemed to be dancing,
totally at one with her electric cello, looking
like a Dali painting… sensational premiere."
Evening Moscow, November 03
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