What does Spain sound like? A Night in Spain invites you on a vivid musical journey through its rich and varied soundscapes, brought to life by three internationally acclaimed artists—Malaysian pianist Mei Yi Foo, Polish violinist Bartosz Woroch, and Spanish cellist Ivan Torres.
From fiery flamenco flair to sun-soaked melodies and impressionistic colours, this evocative programme explores Spain’s diverse musical voices through solos, duos, and trios. Featuring works by Debussy (Prelude “La soirée dans Grenade”), Granados (Piano Trio in C Major), Turina (Piano Trio No.2 in B minor), and contemporary Spanish composer José María Cano (Hijo de la luna “MECANO”), it’s a passionate celebration of música clásica española—past and present.
About the Artists
Bartosz Woroch, Violin
Polish-born violinist Bartosz Woroch is a prizewinner at major international competitions such as the Pablo Sarasate Competition in Spain and the Michael Hill Competition in New Zealand. As a soloist, Bartosz has appeared with orchestras across the world, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Bern Symphony Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and Polish Radio Orchestras, with conductors such as Michael Tilson Thomas, Libor Pešek, Łukasz Borowicz and Henk Guittart.
A dedicated chamber musician, Bartosz has collaborated with a wide range of artists including Pekka Kuusisto, Sting, Caroline Palmer, Uri Caine, Nicholas Daniel, Jörg Widmann, Piotr Anderszewski and award-winning director Tom Morris.
His debut CD, Dancer on a Tightrope, as well as a concerto disc ConNotations with the Britten Sinfonia and pianist Mei Yi Foo, received unanimous critical acclaim.
Bartosz is a passionate scuba diver and mountain walker, and tends to be disproportionately affected by losing at chess.
Foo Mei Yi, Piano
‘Immediately we were her devoted fans’ – The Times
Winner of the 2013 BBC Music Magazine’s Best Newcomer award, Foo Mei Yi is internationally recognised as an innovative pianist with a diverse and eclectic repertoire. A prolific concerto soloist, Mei Yi has performed with the English Chamber Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony, Helsinki Philharmonic, Iceland Symphony, London Chamber Orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic, National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Remix Ensemble and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, earning praise from The Times, The Independent, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, SRF broadcast, The Guardian and Klassik Magazine.
An avid advocate of new music, Mei Yi actively collaborates with living composers and regularly appears at major festivals including the Lucerne Festival, Ultraschall Festival Berlin, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Punkt Festival in Norway, and the Southbank Centre’s Music of Today series in London. Recent and upcoming highlights include appearances at Wigmore Hall, Tokyo Opera City Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and Victoria Concert Hall in Singapore.
A native of Malaysia, Mei Yi resides in the UK, having completed her studies at the Royal College of Music and Royal Academy of Music in London with Yonty Solomon, Christopher Elton and Alexander Satz. She currently holds a teaching position at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and was awarded the Setiawan Tuanku Muhriz medal for her contributions to the arts and music in her home country.
“Her genius is now unquestionable” – The Arts Desk
Ivan Torres, Cello
Born in Barcelona, Spanish cellist Ivan Torres has performed extensively across Europe and Asia. He graduated from London’s Royal College of Music under Leonid Gorokhov and Alexander Boyarsky, where he was a Foundation Scholar and Senior Exhibitioner. A recipient of numerous awards including the Anna Shuttleworth Award (UK), he has also received honours from Spain’s Fundación Pau Casals and the Ministry of Education.
Ivan has performed in iconic European venues such as Leipzig’s Bachfest, the Weikersheim Festival, and IMS Prussia Cove. He has collaborated with leading orchestras in Barcelona, Galicia, Tenerife and Valencia under conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Lorin Maazel, and Daniele Gatti. His orchestral experience also includes touring as principal cellist of the World Youth Orchestra and performing with violinist Vasko Vassilev’s I laureati.
He has refined his artistry through masterclasses with the Solomon Trio, and the Artemis, Bartók and Endellion Quartets. Ivan also co-founded the Melitango Quintet, with which he toured Spain. He has premiered works by Jorge Grundman, Miguel Ortega, and Tito García at festivals including Málaga’s Picasso Festival, and has recorded extensively for Spanish radio, television and film.
Ivan was tenured Professor of Cello and Chamber Music at Barcelona’s Conservatori del Liceu, and has taught at Malaysia’s Sunway University, Permata Seni Muzik, and Orkestra Kuala Lumpur. He has served as a jury member for several international competitions across Southeast Asia.