Recording details and audio excerpts.
British nationals
UK residents
Y-Squared has been the winning formula for Yelian He and Yasmin Rowe since 2008.
The name (whimsically formed from the initial letters of both their names) represents not only dedication towards performing the greatest Cello & Piano repertoire both old and new, but also embodying a discipline to explore the depth of communication between two artists on stage.
Since its inception in Manchester UK, Y-Squared has performed and given masterclasses internationally in Europe, Asia and Australasia. Y-Squared released their debut CD with British label Willowhayne Records in 2017 – “Y2” containing an eclectic selection of works ranging from Mendelssohn and Schumann-Liszt, to Kapustin, Piazzolla and Henryson, which was promptly picked up by British Airways for the in-flight entertainment system. They also released music videos in 2016 of Chopin’s Cello Sonata 3rd movement and Nikolai Kapustin’s Burlesque for Piano and Cello – produced and commissioned by the City Music Foundation.
Combining individual artistry and musicianship, Yelian and Yasmin have also achieved outstanding success on the world’s competition stages, notably 1st Prize in the 2009 Royal Over-Seas League String Competition in London and the Grand Prize and Audience Prize in the 2014 Australian Cello Awards Competition in Sydney.
Their performances consist of both the staples of the cello and piano repertoires as well as extended works that reflect their easy-going natures and hardworking personalities. Y-Squared have performed in world class venues such as Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Bridgewater Concert Hall, Shanghai Concert Hall, Forbidden City Concert Hall to name a few, they have also appeared in major cultural festivals including Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Brighton Festival, Adelaide International Cello Festival, Melbourne International Cello Festival and Woodend Winter Arts Festival.