Directory

Trio Òran

Trio - Piano Trio

Instrumentation

Natalie Alfille-Cook - Cello
Catherine Duncan - Piano
Eliza Burkitt - Violin

Repertoire

Shostakovich, piano trio no 1

Suk, Élégie

Tailleferre, piano trio

Haydn, Piano trio in E minor

Bridge, Phantasie

Brahms, piano trio no 1 in B major

Biography

‘Trio Òran’ are a piano trio formed of pianist Catherine Duncan, cellist Natalie Alfille-Cook, and violinist Eliza Burkitt. Coming from Scotland, London and East Anglia respectively, they began working together at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The trio have recently played in masterclasses with celebrated musicians including Ralf Gothoni, Martin Qvist-Hansen and Adrian Brendel, and receive ongoing guidance from Sam Armstrong. Recent performances include concerts in Suffolk and London, as well as competing as finalists in the 2024 Ivan Sutton Prize in Milton Court Concert Hall. They are travelling to Lucca, Italy in July to participate in the Virtuoso Belcanto Festival 2024.

Catherine Duncan is a Scottish pianist based in London. She is passionate about music as an instrument of dialogue and means of bringing people together. She is currently undertaking an Artist Masters at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she studies with Carole Presland. Prior to this, she completed her BMus with studying with Alasdair Beatson at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where she was awarded the Marjorie Hazlehurst Piano Award, given to the student “whose major project demonstrates the greatest imagination, enterprise and level of performance.”

Natalie Alfille-Cook enjoys a varied career as a cellist, performing regularly across the UK as well as recording and teaching. Recent performances venues include at the Whiddon Autumn festival, Pimlott Foundation, St George the Martyr church and Milton Court. Throughout her time at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she has lead the cello section in multiple projects, most notably for the world premiere of Steven Gietzen’s opera A Star next to the Moon. Natalie is currently studying on a scholarship at GSMD under the tutelage of Jonathan Aasgaard.

Eliza is a freelance music educator and violinist. She is a versatile and experienced performer, enjoying a varied freelance schedule spanning street performance, orchestral and pit band playing and chamber music. She frequently plays in ensembles including Brixton Chamber Orchestra and St Pauls Sinfonia.