Part of the Chetham’s International Piano Summer School 2024.
Between Thursday 8 – Saturday 17 August, Chetham’s International Piano Summer School brings world class and legendary musicians to a vibrant, supportive community in central Manchester. Alongside lectures, open lessons and opportunities to develop new skills, you can discover a daily programme of recitals from world-class performers.
Day three begins with a special film fantasia concert at 1.45pm that is perfect for families, followed by an afternoon celebration of Lithuanian music at 5.15pm. Murray McLachlan explores the works of John McLeod at 7pm and the day finishes with our first faculty gala recital, 8.30pm.
Full Series Tickets
Book a full series ticket to attend all of the public concerts and lectures across full ten days the event for £332.50, or book for Week One (Thursday 8 – Monday 12 August) or Week Two (Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 August) for £177.50.
DAY THREE PROGRAMME
John Lenehan: Film Fantasia, 1.45 – 2.25pm
5.50. FTE/U18s Free
We are sorry to announce that due to unforeseen circumstances, Neil Rutman is no longer able to join us to perform the musical Story of Barbar the Little Elephant.
We are very grateful that John Lenehan will instead be performing his Film Fantasia programme.
If you have booked tickets for this performance, you don’t need to do anything right now. Our box office team will be in touch shortly.
Lauryna Sableviciute, 5.15 – 6pm
£22.50. FTE/U18s £5.50
AMIDST RUES AND ROSES
Amidst Rues and Roses presents a programme that at its core is a celebration of Lithuanian musical traditions. It will blend works by composers from Lauryna’s beloved homeland of Lithuania, as well as a number of works by composers from her currently adopted home of England. All of the works that emanate from England have been in some way inspired by Lithuanian music traditions.
The Rue is the national flower of Lithuania, and the Rose is that for England – each flower possesses their own powerful symbolisms. This program will seek to immerse the audience in a bouquet of breath-taking soundscapes and stories. It will range from the astonishing imagery of the composer and painter Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis (1875-1911) and encapsulate the work of many remarkable contemporary Lithuanian and English composers. I am delighted to be able to present the world premiere performance of a work especially composed for me by Sadie Harrison as well as being able to give the UK premiere of a work by Raminta Serksnyte.
M.K. CIURLIONIS Three preludes
Feliksas BAJORAS Reflections
Sadie HARRISON A Book of Stars and Sorrows (World Premiere)
Stephen DAVISMOON Daisy Fragments
Raminta SERKSNYTE. Three Ostinato Preludes (UK Premiere)
Murray McLachlan, 7pm
£22.50. FTE/U18s £5.50
Lecture Recital on John McLeod: 1934 – 2022
A celebration of John McLeod’s life and music in his 90th year. The programme will include his Sonata No. 1 and the Hebridean Dances. John and his wife Margaret were regular members of the summer school faculty for many years.
Faculty Gala Recital, 8.30pm
£22.50. FTE/U18s £5.50
A varied and exciting programme of solos and duets celebrating the outstanding faculty on the Piano Summer School.
Honor O’Hea and Robert Andres
RACHMANINOV Caprice bohémien Op. 12
John Thwaites
BRAHMS Three Intermezzi Op. 117
Bobby Chen and Douglas Finch
Arnold GRILLER ‘Songs of the ChenFinch’ for two pianos
Lauryna Sableviciute
Graham LYNCH Blue Bird in the Mythic Forest
Graham LYNCH Rock Crystal (World Premiere)
Both of these pieces come from the set The Chimeras, and they share a similar theme in that they are related to the idea of the ‘story’. Blue Bird in the Mythic Forest evokes the atmosphere of a fairy tale, where the piano creates sustained and luminous harmonies and conjures up a hushed and dark forest. By contrast, Rock Crystal moves rapidly towards a series of climactic chords that summon up the elemental power of the glacier onto which two young children have accidently wandered on the night of Christmas eve. The story that inspired this piece was written by Adalbert Stifter, and it’s one of the most unique works in German literature.
Gemma Webster
GRIEG Notturno Op. 54 No. 4
DEBUSSY L’Isle Joyeuse
Katie Laing
Jeremy PIKE Prelude on E flat major (World Premiere)
Douglas Finch
Improvisation – audience suggestions welcome!
Kathryn Stott and Ben Powell
RAVEL La Valse for 2 pianos
