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Concert pianist killed in her Manchester home Concert pianist killed in her Manchester home
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A woman killed in her home in Manchester has been named as international concert pianist Natalia Strelchenko.A woman killed in her home in Manchester has been named as international concert pianist Natalia Strelchenko.
Strelchenko, 38, also known as Natalia Strelle, suffered head injuries in an attack at her home in Newton Heath, Manchester. Strelchenko, who changed her surname to Strelle, died shortly after being found on Sunday by police and paramedics at a property in Culcheth Lane, Newton Heath, with serious head injuries. A 48-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder remains in police custody for questioning.
Police and paramedics were called at 12.45am on Sunday and attempted to revive her at the scene but she died a short time later. Strelle, 38, described as a Norwegian pianist of Russian origin, has performed all over the world at prestigious venues including London’s Wigmore Hall, New York’s Carnegie Hall and the Franzosische Dom in Berlin.
A 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. In a statement released through Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Strelle’s family said: “Natalia was a talented, beautiful, much loved mother, daughter, sister and friend. She will be greatly missed.”
The family of the victim, who was from Norway and is believed to have been of Russian origin, paid tribute to her. A Home Office post-mortem examination found Strelle died from head and neck injuries.
In a statement they said: “Natalia was a talented, beautiful, much-loved mother, daughter, sister and friend. She will be greatly missed.” Strelle, who also worked as an artistic director at the Menestrelles International Chamber Music Academy, was due to play at several concerts later this year, including venues in Norway, France and the UK.
A Home Office postmortem examination has been carried out and found that Strelchenko died from head and neck injuries. In a 2007 review in the Observer, writer Anthony Holden said of Strelle: “I suspect we will be hearing much more of this engaging artist.”
Det Supt Phil Reade, from Greater Manchester police, said: “This is a tragic incident in which a talented young lady has lost her life. “Once she eased into the quieter studies, however, her passionate sensibility combined with formidable technique to produce passages of great poise and beauty, enhanced by her charming stage manner - a mixture of coquettish, conspiratorial eye-contact with the front few rows, unorthodox air-punching at the end of significant sections and head-rolls towards the ceiling in truly transcendental style,” wrote
“Natalia’s family, many of whom live outside the UK, are understandably beside themselves at their loss and we are doing everything we can at this time to support them. Strelle was educated at the St Petersburg State Conservatory and Norwegian Academy of Music and was later awarded a PhD in arts research from Norway’s leading music academy.
“We are determined to find out exactly what has led to Natalia being taken from them in this way. She made her concert debut at age 12 with the St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra.
“We have a team of detectives investigating this murder and are asking for anyone with information that may assist our inquiries to please get in touch.” Detective Superintendent Phil Reade, from GMP’s major incident team, said: “This is a tragic incident in which a talented young lady has lost her life.
Strelchenko was a solo pianist of international calibre who made her debut at the age of 12 with the St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. She also performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall and London’s Wigmore Hall and had been artist in residence at Leeds College of Art and a research fellow at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo. “Natalia’s family, many of whom live outside the UK, are understandably beside themselves at their loss and we are doing everything we can at this time to support them. We are determined to find out exactly what has led to Natalia being taken from them in this way.
Neighbours said she had been living in Manchester for about two years after moving from Norway but the family were often away on concert tours, according to local reports. “We have a team of detectives investigating this murder and are asking for anyone with information that may assist our enquiries, to please get in touch.”
Anybody with information should contact GMP’s major incident team on 0161-856 9283 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.