Thursday 29 August 2024
Wainsgate Piano Weekend
Wainsgate Chapel is well-known for its annual concert series where numerous music and spoken word events take place over the months between April and October. However, in a major departure from this model, the Chapel is hosting a whole weekend of piano music between Friday September 27th and Sunday 29th.
The Wainsgate Piano Weekend celebrates the instrument and the music written for it. It features a starry line-up of renowned artists who will be performing some of the greatest piano music ever written. This is balanced by exciting and enticing events by and for the local community. There are free gigs in the bar, for headline concert ticket holders, and there are two events which provide opportunities for non-professional players from around our region to perform.
The Piano Weekend kicks off on the Friday with a much-anticipated solo recital from jazz superstar Zoe Rahman. Described in The Observer as "a remarkable pianist by any standard", Zoe Rahman has firmly established herself as one of the brightest stars on the contemporary jazz scene. A vibrant and highly individual pianist/ composer, her style is deeply rooted in jazz yet it reflects her classical background, her British/ Bengali heritage and her very broad musical taste.
On Saturday September 28th, there's a lunchtime recital given by the up-and-coming young pianist Mark Viner with music by Schumann, Alkan, Chaminade and Liszt.
Left: Mark Viner. Right: Charles Owen
In the evening, the highly-acclaimed Charles Owen takes the stage with a stunning programme which includes works by Ravel, Fauré and Prokofiev. Deemed "a class above the rest" by International Piano Magazine, Charles Owen has released 13 CDs and has performed throughout Europe and America.
On the final day Rose McLachlan gives a lunchtime recital featuring music by Mozart, Janacek and Rachmaninov. The closing concert stars the extraordinary Japanese virtuoso Noriko Ogawa whose programme includes works by Beethoven, Debussy and Ravel. Highly praised by The Times, "What sets her apart from other pianists is her wonderful sense of timing… [she] allows the music to breathe, while maintaining the forward momentum", Noriko has performed all over the world and recorded many CDs including the entire works of Debussy.
Left: Rose McLachlan. Right: Noriko Ogawa
Nearly all the artists performing at the Wainsgate Piano Weekend were also among the many pianists who gave concerts at Hebden Bridge Piano Festival between 2013 and 2019. Quite a few of the Piano Festival's organisers and volunteers are now involved with the Piano Weekend so it is perhaps unsurprising that the one is closely modelled on the other!
For booking, plus details of all the concerts and the other events go to www.wainsgate.co.uk/piano-weekend