Antje Weithaas, Marie-Elisabeth Hecker & Martin Helmchen Presented by Liszt Academy

“Hecker plays like an angel...the beauty of her sound is enhanced by an exquisitely elegant line and sweeping lyricism. There is absolutely no artifice to mislead the audience; her performance comprises musicality and pure talent.” This is how a Spanish critic encapsulated the playing of Marie-Elisabeth Hecker. The brilliant German cellist made her international breakthrough at the 2005 Rostropovich Cello Competition in Paris where she not only carried off first prize but, unprecedentedly, two special prizes as well. She is a passionate chamber musician who has appeared in the world’s most prestigious concert halls alongside her husband Martin Helmchen, winner of the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition. She was born in Zwickau, birthplace of Schumann, so perhaps it comes as no surprise to find that she is playing a Schumann composition at this Budapest concert. The couple have played in trio formation with outstanding violinist Antje Weithaas for several years. The harmony of collaboration between the three musicians is based on similar principles professed in the performing arts: the intensity of personality, charisma, stage presence may never overshadow the work itself.