Duo Kaira Concert at Ognisko Polskie | London, 12 May 2025

The hall of Ognisko Polskie was filled to the brim with classical music enthusiasts who had the opportunity to attend a remarkable event that evening. Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance presented the exceptional violin-piano duo, Duo Kaira, composed of Samyuktha Rajagopal (violin) and Yuri Inoshita (piano). The concert began promptly at 7:30 PM and will be long remembered by everyone.

Even the ensemble’s name – Kaira, derived from the Indian language and meaning “Virtuous and Unique” – foreshadowed an evening full of emotion and virtuosity. Formed in 2023, the duo quickly gained recognition in the UK’s music circles, performing on prestigious stages and winning awards such as the Leonard Smith and Felicity Young Prize for Strings and Piano. Their interpretations are distinguished by technical perfection and emotional depth, warmth, and artistic grace.

The evening’s repertoire was carefully curated to showcase the stylistic diversity and richness of expression that the young artists bring to their performances.

The first part of the program began with the monumental Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 “Kreutzer” by Ludwig van Beethoven – a work of immense dramatic charge, requiring absolute rapport between performers. Rajagopal and Inoshita played with great expressive power, giving each of the three contrasting movements its vivid character – from the lyrical Adagio sostenuto, through intricately developed variations, to the final Presto, delivered with intensity and precision.

After the intermission, the audience heard Debussy’s Sonata for Violin and Piano in G minor, L. 140 – an impressionistic, colourful, and atmospheric piece. Inoshita’s delicate touch and refined sensitivity harmonised perfectly with Rajagopal’s graceful yet passionate playing. Their performance conveyed a broad spectrum of emotions, from the lightness of Intermède to the vibrant final movement Très animé.

The evening concluded with three short pieces by the Viennese master Fritz Kreisler – “Three Old Viennese Dances”: Liebesfreud (Love’s Joy), Liebesleid (Love’s Sorrow), and Schön Rosmarin (Lovely Rosemary). These exquisite miniatures, full of nostalgia and charm, allowed the artists to reveal a more intimate, lyrical side. The audience rewarded their interpretation with a standing ovation.

Samyuktha Rajagopal, a violinist of exceptional musical sensitivity, blends Western classical tradition with the rich heritage of South Indian (Carnatic) music in both her education and performance. She began her musical education at the age of four in Singapore, and upon returning to India, she immersed herself in classical Indian music. She studied at the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin Music Academy in Switzerland and is pursuing her Master’s at Trinity Laban under Lana Trotvesk. Her talent has been repeatedly recognised, including the Olga and Jules Craen competition, and in 2025, she won the Trinity Laban Soloist Competition.

Yuri Inoshita, a pianist from Japan, has been performing as a soloist in Europe and Asia since the age of 13. She is completing her Master’s in Piano Performance at Trinity Laban, supported by the prestigious Peter Harris Trust. She is also an active composer and improviser – her piece “Improvisation on Haiku” was presented at the New Lights Festival 2024. As a member of the Meissa Trio, she has won awards at international competitions, and her passion for chamber music and accompaniment earned her the David Gosling Prize.

This exceptional event was recorded and documented for Wyspa TV, and special recognition is due to Danuta Marciniak, whose presence is always key to creating a professional video report and a complete and cohesive information package. Her keen eye for the overall picture of the event, ability to capture meaningful moments, and meticulous attention to detail ensure that the coverage of the evening is not just a concert record but a narrative – a story of art, emotion, and cultural encounter. With the insight and passion of a true documentarian, Danuta records events and organises and elevates the stage reality, creating space for deeper reflection and reception.

The Duo Kaira concert was not merely an artistic event—it was also a poignant reminder of the power of music's universal language. Two young artists from different cultures and musical traditions created a space of harmony and beauty that spoke to the audience's hearts.

This event was part of the “Musical Moments” series organised by Trinity Laban at Ognisko Polskie – a venue with a long-standing tradition of supporting culture and the arts.

Editor Maria Anna Furman