Chetham’s International Piano Summer School

Stephen Kovacevich Recital
2026-08-17 19:30 - 20:30 (Europe/London) | Stoller Hall
Stephen Kovacevich, hailed worldwide as one of the greatest interpreters of Beethoven and Schubert, brings a lifetime of artistry to the stage. From his electrifying debut at Wigmore Hall to decades of performances with the world’s leading orchestras, Kovacevich has captivated audiences with his fearless intensity, profound insight, and uncompromising devotion to musical truth. This recital is not just a concert — it is a rare chance to witness a master whose interpretations have shaped generations of pianists and listeners alike.
We are honoured to welcome him to perform in Stoller Hall for the first time.
Free to all summer school participants and observers.
Programme to include
Schubert Piano Sonata No.21 in B flat major D.960 Molto moderato Andante sostenuto Scherzo: Allegro vivace con delicatezza – Trio Allegro ma non troppo – Presto
Public tickets available through the Stoller Hall.

Faculty Gala Recital
2026-08-18 13:45 - 14:30
The now traditional Gala Recital featuring outstanding members of the faculty. An exciting and varied programme guaranteed.
Belen Navarro and Juan Lago Schubert Andantino Varié über französische Motive op 84 No. 1
Mayumi Lida and Colin Stone Poulenc Prelude Rustique and Finale
Pippa Harrison and James Willshire Judith Bingham From Whale to Worm – World Premiere
Philip Fowke To be announced in the recital.
Free for all summer school participants. Tickets available for the public from the Stoller Hall.

Margaret Fingerhut Recital
2026-08-18 17:15 - 18:00
“One of the most radiantly musical of pianists, she plays with such alluring sensitivity & effortless command that one cannot help but be won over” – International Piano
Described by Gramophone magazine as a pianist of “consummate skill and thrilling conviction”, Margaret Fingerhut has a distinguished career which has taken her all over the world. She is particularly known for her innovative recital programmes in which she explores the highways and byways of the piano repertoire. As a concerto soloist she has appeared with the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the London Mozart Players, in major venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall and the Barbican. She is often heard on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM and many radio stations worldwide.
Chopin – Three Mazurkas Op. 59
Chopin – Barcarolle Op.60
Liszt – Glanes de Woronince
Widor – Kermesse Carillonnante Op.71 No.3
Free to all summer school participants. Tickets available to the public from https://stollerhall.com/

Alexander Kobrin Recital
2026-08-18 19:00 - 20:00
“He surrendered neither the smoothness nor the dynamic fluidity that the modern piano allows, and he gave his sense of fantasy free rein, creating an almost confessional spirit .” — The New York Times
Distinguished pianist Alexander Kobrin, has received wide acclaim for his emotional, technically inspired performances, placing him at the forefront of today’s performing artists.
Mr. Kobrin is an active guest soloist with the world’s leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Tokyo Philharmonic, Orchestra Verdi, Russian National Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Dallas Symphony, Berliner Symphony, Swedish Radio Symphony, Warsaw Philharmonic, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
He has collaborated with such conductors as Mikhail Pletnev, Mikhail Jurovsky, Sir Mark Elder, Vassiliy Sinaisky, James Conlon, Claus Peter Flor, Vassiliy Petrenko and Bramwell Tovey.
We welcome Alexander to perform in Stoller Hall for the first time.
Free for all summer school participants. Tickets available for the public from the Stoller Hall.
Brahms Ballades op.10

Andante 2. Andante 3. Intermezzo. Allegro 4. Andante con moto

Schumann Kreisleriana
Äußerst bewegt
Sehr innig und nicht zu rasch
Sehr aufgeregt
Sehr langsam
Sehr lebhaft
Sehr langsam
Sehr rasch
Schnell und spielen

Steven Osborne Recital
2026-08-18 20:30 - 21:30
Winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Instrumentalist of the Year in 2013, pianist Steven Osborne is one of Britain’s most treasured musicians. Celebrated for his insightful interpretations, his musicality and technique, Osborne is much sought after as soloist, chamber musician and recitalist. His residencies at London’s Wigmore Hall, Antwerp’s deSingel, the Bath International Music Festival, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and, this season, at the Royal Scottish National Orchestra are a testament to the respect with which he is held.
Described by The Observer as “always a player in absolute service to the composer”, Steven Osborne recently released a much praised recording of Beethoven’s last three piano sonatas for Hyperion. During the Beethoven anniversary year, Osborne will present his illuminating take on these late works across the UK, the Far East, and North America as well as part of his RSNO residency for which he’ll also play Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 27. Other orchestral highlights during the new season include more Beethoven and Mozart with the Finnish Radio Symphony and BBC National Orchestra of Wales, as well as Ravel with the BBC Philharmonic and Brahms with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra.
Schubert
Four Impromptus D899
Sonata in C minor D958
Allegro Adagio Menuetto. Allegro Allegro
Steven Osborne

Late Night Recital - Murray McLachlan
2026-08-18 22:00 - 23:00
‘Murray McLachlan is a pianist with a virtuoso technique and a sure sense of line. His timing and phrasing are impeccable, and his tone-full but unforced in the powerful passages, gentle and restrained in the more lyrical- is a perpetual delight’ (BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE)
The second recital of three late night recitals featuring the works of Euan Moseley. Murray is currently recording the complete piano music for Divine Art and these three recitals will complete the cycle.
Ballet Suite
Moods
Street Fun Dance Parade
Waltzette

© Martin Lijinsky

Young Artists Lunchtime Recital
2026-08-19 13:45 - 14:30
Today we welcome three talented young pianists in an exciting programme.
Nadiia Dotsiak
Victor Kosenko – Two Poem-Legends, Op. 12
Myroslav Skoryk – Burlesque

Frederick Johnston
Sergei Prokofiev – Romeo and Juliet Op. 75: No. 6, The Montagues and the Capulets
York Bowen – 24 Preludes Op. 102: No. 7 in Eb Major
Takashi Yoshimatsu – Piano Folio… To a Disappeared Pleiad

Chiara Lordi
Liszt Ballade No 2

Joanna MacGregor Recital
2026-08-19 19:00 - 20:00
‘MacGregor seems incapable of giving performances that are not at once extremely intelligent and entertaining’.
The Sunday Times
‘She is one of the most exciting and enterprising pianists of the moment.’
The Observer
‘Joanna MacGregor’s career is practically built on a reinvention of the star virtuoso
tradition… MacGregor’s verve, energy and astounding technique are always at the
service of the music.’
BBC Classical Review
We are thrilled to welcome back Joanna to Stoller Hall. Free to all summer school participants- public tickets available from the Stoller Hall.
Leonid Desyatnikov (b.1955)
Songs of Bukovina
24 Preludes for Piano (2017)

Steepe wind a-blowin’
The bridesmaid started crying
Ian, where d’you come from? – Beyond the Danube
Oh, Petrivochka, a night so short
The wind is blowing, the sun is warm
A rocky mountain
Oh, I’ll go to the garden
Oh, my sweet vast Canada
Oh, the clock chimed midnight
A swallow has flown in
Oh, a cuckoo cuckooed in the house on the corner
If only Mother had known
Green willow, green willow
Poplars grew from one field to another
I sow six seeds of maize
Red arrowwood has blossomed white
Oh, whose wedding is this?
Red arrowwood, green leaves
A pike in the sea
They say I’ve lost my looks
Oh, dear sheep of mine
A lady had a husband, she loved some Peter though
You, wretched singer, what are you looking for?
A pipe made of maplewood

Piers Lane Recital
2026-08-19 20:30 - 21:30
“No praise could be high enough for Piers Lane whose playing throughout is of a superb musical intelligence, sensitivity, and scintillating brilliance.” Bryce Morrison, Gramophone
We are thrilled that Piers is available to join us again at Chetham’s for a solo recital and teaching on the faculty.
Five times soloist at the BBC Proms, Piers Lane’s wide-ranging concerto repertoire exceeds one hundred works and has led to engagements with many of the world’s great orchestras, working recently with conductors like Sir Andrew Davis, Vassily Sinaisky, Gerard Schwartz and Brett Dean. Festival appearances have included Aldeburgh, Bard, Bath Mostly Mozart, Bergen, Cheltenham, Como Autumn Music, Prague Spring, Rockport, La Roque d’Anthéron, Ruhr Klavierfestival, Schloss vor Husum, Seattle and the Chopin festivals in Warsaw, Duszniki-Zdrój, Mallorca and Paris.

Peter Tranchell Seven Pieces

Peacock 2. Rainy Season Bird 3. Goat 4. Crane 5. Cuckoo 6. Frog 7. Elephant

Chopin Prelude in C# minor Op.45
Chopin 24 Preludes Op.28

Lunchtime Recital - Chetham's School of Music
2026-08-20 13:45 - 14:30
Today we welcome young pianists currently studying at Chetham’s.
Sammi Zhong
Melody Zhang
Harmony Zhang

Alim Beisembayev – winner of the 2021 Leeds International Piano Competition

25 for 25 - a jubilee celebration - part two
2026-08-20 17:15 - 18:00
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of CIPSS we are thrilled to present a stunning anthology of 25 new piano miniatures,
written by a galaxy of stars associated with the summer school and Chetham’s.
World premiere performances of all 25 pieces will be presented across two recitals during the course.
Copies of this extraordinary collection of pieces are published in a single album by Forsyth and will be available to purchase during all of CIPSS 2026. Proceeds in aid of Help Musicians UK.
25 for 25 composers
Gary Carpenter, Les Chisnall, Elena Cobb, Douglas Finch, Adam Gorb, Edward Gregson,
Paul Harris, Toby Hession, David Horne, Sir Stephen Hough, Nikki Iles, John Lenehan,
Joanna Macgregor, Euan Moseley, Sarah Nicolls, Christopher Norton, Simon Parkin,
Jeremy Pike, Emma Ruth Richards, Melanie Spanswick, Ian Stephens, Adam Swayne,
Yuanfan Yang, Caroline Wright, Gavin Wayte.
Programme
Adam Swayne Family Silver performed by Adam Swayne
Joanna Macgregor River Moon performed by Joanna MacGregor
Adam Gorb Berceuse performed by Yoon Seok Shin
Edward Gregson À La Recherche du Temps Perdu performed by Murray McLachlan
Sarah Nicolls Long Grass performed by Sarah Nicolls
Paul Harris Knocked Urn performed by Rose McLachlan
Nikki Iles Winter Light performed by Steven Osborne
Simon Parkin G performed by Matthew McLachlan
Ian Stephens Lucency performed by Sarah Murphy
Les Chisnall Sea-Saw Sea performed by Les Chisnall
Sir Stephen Hough Auld Lang Syne Trad. arr. Hough performed by Philip Fowke

Noriko Ogawa Recital
2026-08-20 19:00 - 20:00
We are thrilled to welcome back Noriko Ogawa for a solo recital.
“What sets her apart from other pianists is her wonderful sense of timing… [Ogawa] allows the music to breathe, while maintaining the forward momentum” The Times
“…poetry as well as virtuosity… what makes his playing so complete is the combination of an innate musical simplicity with a highly developed technique… ” Daily Telegraph
Brahms
Op 117 Three Intermezzi

Intermezzo in E♭ major
Intermezzo in B♭ minor
Intermezzo in C♯ minor

Op 118 Six pieces for piano

Intermezzo in A minor
Intermezzo in A major
Ballade in G minor
Intermezzo in F minor
Romanze in F major
Intermezzo in E♭ minor

Op 119 Four pieces for piano

Intermezzo in B minor
Intermezzo in E minor
Intermezzo in C major
Rhapsody in E♭ major

Ronan O'Hora Recital
2026-08-20 20:30 - 21:30
We are thrilled to welcome back Ronan O’Hora, who has been on the faculty many times from the very 1st course 25 years ago!
“His sound is lustrous; his playing is lyrical and full of feeling; he thinks not only of the passing notes but of the overall form. Moreover, O’Hora is blessed with meticulous taste – there was not a vulgar, swooning or overstated passage in the program.”
The Washington Post
The British pianist Ronan O’Hora has performed throughout the world, playing with such orchestras as the London Philharmonic, Philharmonia Orchestra, the BBC Symphony, Royal Philharmonic and English Chamber orchestras, the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Hallé Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony, Zurich Tonhalle, Netherlands Radio Chamber, Philharmonia Hungarica, Brno Philharmonic, Winnipeg Symphony, Florida Philharmonic and Queensland Philharmonic.
Ronan O’Hora is Head of Keyboard Studies and Head of Advanced Performance Studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
Haydn Sonata in C major Hob XVI /48
Andante con espressione Rondo. Presto
Schoenberg 6 Little Pieces Op 19
Wagner/Liszt Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde
Brahms Sonata No 3 in F minor Op 5
Allegro maestoso
Andante espressivo
Scherzo Allegro energico
Intermezzo
Finale Allegro moderato ma rubato

Late Night Recital - Murray McLachlan
2026-08-20 22:00 - 23:00
‘Murray McLachlan is a pianist with a virtuoso technique and a sure sense of line. His timing and phrasing are impeccable, and his tone-full but unforced in the powerful passages, gentle and restrained in the more lyrical- is a perpetual delight’ (BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE)
The final late night recital featuring the works of Euan Moseley. Murray is currently recording the complete piano music for Divine Art and these three recitals will complete the cycle.
Ballet Suite 3
Lullabies
Pondering

© Martin Lijinsky

Lunchtime Recital - Overall Prizewinner of the EPTA UK competition
2026-08-21 13:45 - 14:30
Today we welcome Tiantian Gao who was recently been awarded overall winner in the EPTA UK National piano competition.

Pavel Nersessian Recital
2026-08-21 19:00 - 20:00
We are delighted to welcome Pavel Nersessian to the Stoller Hall and the summer school. “His performance brought a veritable roar of approval from the audience,” wrote the Irish Times, after Pavel Nersessian received the 1st Prize in the GPA Dublin International Piano Competition in 1991. Being one of the most remarkable pianists of his generation in Russia, he is known for his ability to play equally convincingly in the whole palette of the piano repertoire. He won prizes in the Beethoven Competition in Vienna in 1985, the Paloma O’Shea Competition in Santander, and the Tokyo Competition.
For more than 25 years P. Nersessian has been assisting his teacher, professor S. Dorensky. He has worked with such talented pupils as N. Lugansky, D. Matsuev, V. Rudenko, O. Kern, A. Shtarkman, Yu. Stadler, I. Tasovats, F. Amirov, M. Amara, A. Dossin, V. Igoshina, A. Mamriev, V. Korchinskaya-Kogan, S. Simonian, Z. Chochieva, G. Chaidze, N. Pisareva, A. Sychev, F. Kopachevsky, P. Kolesnikov, A. Tarasevich-Nikolaev, L. Bernsdorf, P. Elisha, A. Malofeev, A, Kliuchko and many others.
Pavel Nersessian served as a jury member in many international piano competitions: Dublin, Hamamatsu, Sendai, Maria Canals in Barcelona, Hilton Head, Almaty, Valencia, Tbilisi and other competitions.
In 2013 he started to work as a professor of piano in Boston university, in 2022 as a professor of piano in New England Conservatory.
Mendelssohn 6 Songs without words op. 67
Faure Valse-caprice No. 2 op. 38
Barcarolle op. 41
Two excerpts from Pelleas and Melisande op. 80: Sicilienne (arr.by the author), La Fileuse (arr. by A. Cortot)
Ravel Gaspard de la nuit
Ondine Le Gibet Scarbo

Peter Donohoe Recital
2026-08-21 20:30 - 21:30
“Peter Donohoe played as if visited by the spirit of Rachmaninov.” The Guardian
“I cannot imagine a living pianist capable of improving upon Donohoe’s outstanding artistry.” Robert Matthew-Walker, Musical Opinion
We are delighted to welcome back Peter Donohoe, former Chetham’s student and a much loved regular on the faculty of the summer school
Bach-Busoni Chaconne in D minor BWV 1004
Webern Variations Op 27
Schubert Sonata in A major D664
Allegro moderato Andante Allegro
Bach-Busoni Prelude and Fugue in Eb Major (‘St Anne’) BWV 552

© Martin Lijinsky
