Cordelia Williams

Cordelia Williams is recognised for the poetry, conviction and inner strength of her playing and the depth and maturity of her interpretations. She has performed all over the world, including concertos with the English Chamber Orchestra (in Mexico City), City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (at Barbican Hall, London), as well as recitals at Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall and Beijing Concert Hall.

…Schumann’s 21st century interpreter and soul-mate – Review of Cordelia’s 2015 release

…a superb concept brilliantly realised – review of her CD featuring works by J.S. Bach and Arvo Pärt

At the core of Cordelia’s musicality is a fascination with the human soul and the artistic expression of struggles and beliefs; alongside her performing career she gained a First in Theology from Clare College, Cambridge. Cordelia is drawn especially to the music of the late Classical and early Romantic periods: her debut CD, featuring Schubert’s complete Impromptus for SOMM Recordings, was released to critical acclaim in July 2013. This was followed in 2015 by a recording of music by Schumann, with one reviewer describing her as ‘Schumann’s 21st century interpreter and soul-mate’. Her latest CD, featuring music by J.S. Bach and Arvo Pärt, was released in October and was described as a superb concept brilliantly realised in a five-star review.

Her curiosity towards religions and faith led to her year long project, Between Heaven and the Clouds: Messiaen 2015. In collaboration with award winning poet Michael Symmons Roberts, former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Rowan Williams and artist Sophie Hacker, this ambitious series of events and performances explored the music, context and theology of Messiaen’s Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant Jésus. Following this, she was delighted to be appointed in 2018 as Piano and Chamber Music Coach, and Lecturer in Vocational Contexts, at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Cordelia has a great enthusiasm for presenting and introducing music; her occasional Cafe Muse evenings bring classical music out of the concert hall and into the relaxed setting of bars and brasseries. She is also a passionate chamber musician, having appeared with the Endellion, Fitzwilliam and Maggini quartets among others. Since becoming Piano Winner of BBC Young Musician 2006, she has enjoyed traveling and performing through France, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Thailand, China, America, Mexico, Kenya and the Gulf States. Cordelia welcomed her first child in 2017.