International concert pianist Andreas Boyde has performed a special charity event in Devon in memory of a fellow musician and friend.
Joanna Leach from Shute near Axminster, died aged 73 in April in the Exeter hospice of local charity Hospiscare after a long battle with ovarian cancer.
A widely-acclaimed pianist and recording artist herself, Joanna also collaborated with Andreas on his professional recordings through her label Athene Records. His special thank you and tribute was a fundraising concert for Hospiscare in her memory.
Concert organiser Liz Tirard said : “Andreas and Joanna became close friends so this concert was very poignant…and very special”
The programme was carefully compiled to include some of Joanna’s favourite pieces by Brahms, Haydn, Liszt and Schumann.
Joanna’s husband Mike Beville confirmed the concert was the first in a series by the Joanna Leach Foundation to raise cash for Hospiscare which supports patients across Exeter, mid and east Devon.
He said: “The recitals are a way of expressing thanks in a practical manner for the loving and sensitive care she received in the Exeter hospice during the final days of her life”.
German-born Andreas Boyde has played with leading orchestras across the world at venues from the Royal Festival Hall in London to the Hamburg Musikhalle.
