Chetham’s International Piano Summer School

Joanna MacGregor Recital
2025-08-19 20:30 - 21:30 (Europe/London) | Stoller Hall
‘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.
Phillip Glass Opening (from Glassworks)
Kneeplay no.4 (from Einstein on the Beach)
Etude no.6
Rameau Le Rappel des Oiseaux
Couperin Les Fauvétes Plaintives
Rameau La Poule
Mussorgsky Pictures at An Exhibition

Late Night Participant recitals
2025-08-19 22:00 - 23:00
Late night recital opportunities in all of the recital halls throughout the school. All participants have the opportunity to perform on one of the concert grand pianos in the recital rooms. Steinway, Schimmel, Bösendorfer, Yamaha and Bechstein are some of the models available.
Make sure to sign up when applying online.

Baronial Hall

Late Night Jazz Room
2025-08-19 22:00 - 23:30 | G04
A wonderful opportunity for participants to play some jazz and improvisation in this lovely informal space on a superb grand piano kindly donated by Forsyth Music Shop.
Enjoy listening with a drink, or playing to fellow participants.

Junior Piano Group Class
2025-08-20 08:45 - 09:30 | Oglesby Atrium
The daily class where all young pianists come together to develop both aural and rhythmic awareness.

Teaching session 1
2025-08-20 08:45 - 11:00
The inspirational faculty are busy giving daily individual lessons on all courses. The course has an open door policy to all lessons – not to be missed.

Junior Foundation 'drop in' practise workshop
2025-08-20 09:30 - 10:15 | G06
Come along with a bar, or a small section for lots of advice and help to take you into your practice room. Stay for 5 minutes or the whole class – so much can be discovered by listening to everyone.

Junior Advanced 'drop in' practise workshop
2025-08-20 10:15 - 11:00, 2025-08-21 10:15 - 11:00 | G06
The daily ‘drop -in’ class for all Junior Advanced pianists. A great way to set up the day with tips on every aspect of piano playing from a member of the faculty. Come along with a bar, or a small section for lots of advice and help to take you into your practice room.

Teaching session 2
2025-08-20 11:30 - 13:00
More intense individual lessons continue. The group workshops are scheduled throughout the week – check the displayed timetables for more information.

Adult Amateur Workshop
2025-08-20 11:30 - 13:00 | G06
Today the daily workshop for all participants on the Adult Amateur Course is hosted by the very popular teacher Marta Karbownicka. Everyone is very friendly and the atmosphere will be warm and inviting, offering a supportive setting for performance and discussion. The piano is an outstanding concert grand, kindly donated by Forsyth Music shop.

Lunchtime Recital - Soli Nallaseth and Theron Masters
2025-08-20 13:45 - 14:30 | Stoller Hall
Today we welcome two outstanding pianists who are studying for a doctorate at USC Thornton in Los Angeles.
Theron Masters has performed at several international festivals over the past few years, including Music Fest Perugia in Italy, Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy, Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Piano Program, Indiana University Piano Academy, and International Institute for Young Musicians. Theron has performed in masterclasses for Martin Katz, Lang Lang, John O’Conor and Leon Fleisher.
Soli Cyrus Nallaseth, born in New York City and raised in Mumbai, has been shaped by diverse cultures, with music as his guiding force. A prizewinner in multiple international competitions, he has performed with the Symphony Orchestra of India and at renowned venues worldwide, including Wigmore Hall. He has participated in prestigious festivals like Aspen and Musica Mundi, and even composed for the Netflix film Yeh Ballet. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at USC, he studied at the Royal Academy of Music and has worked with distinguished pianists such as Daniel Barenboim and Maria João Pires. Soli was a student at Chetham’s School of Music.
Soli Nallaseth Beethoven Sonata Op 101
Theron Masters Handel Suite HWV 428 D Minor

Theron Masters
Soli Nallaseth

Junior Foundation 'drop in' performance class
2025-08-20 14:45 - 15:30 | G06
Every day come along to hear other young pianists playing on a grand piano, in front of a supportive audience and member of the faculty. A wonderful way to hear amazing music and to get a chance to perform yourself. Everyone welcome. If you have a duet, the member of faculty would love to play with you.

Teaching session 3
2025-08-20 14:45 - 17:00, 2025-08-21 14:45 - 17:00
The final teaching sessions for the day with all members of the faculty working hard with students in individual lessons.
Don’t forget the piano summer school has an ‘open door’ policy – so do go and listen to other lessons.

Junior Advanced 'drop in' performance class
2025-08-20 15:30 - 16:15 | G06
The daily perfomance class for all Junior Pianists on the Advanced Course. An exciting opportunity to play on a beautiful grand piano in front of a small, friendly audience.

Piers Lane Recital
2025-08-20 20:30 - 21:30 | Stoller Hall
“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.
NB Change of Programme#
Op.9 no.1 in Bb minor
Op.9 no.3 in B major
Op.15 no.2 in F# major
Op.27 no.1 in C# minor
Op.27 no.2 in Db major
Op.32 no.2 in Ab major
Op.37 no.2 in G major
Op.48 no.1 in C minor
Op.55 no.2 in Eb major
Op.62 no.1 in B major
Op.62 no.2 in E major

Late Night Participant recitals
2025-08-20 22:00 - 23:00
With up to 6 recitals taking place tonight, do make sure to go and support the pianists performing. Amazing repertoire and outstanding performances guaranteed!

Late Night Jazz Room
2025-08-20 22:00 - 23:30 | G04
A wonderful opportunity for participants to play some jazz and improvisation in this lovely informal space on a superb grand piano kindly donated by Forsyth Music Shop.
Listen with a drink, or enjoy playing to fellow participants.

Early Morning Warm Ups with Murray
2025-08-21 08:15 - 08:30 | Oglesby Atrium
Flagging with mid-course fatigue? No problem: Wake up early and join Murray for a refreshing warm up session.

Junior Piano Group Class
2025-08-21 08:45 - 09:30 | Oglesby Atrium
Young participants on the Junior Course meet up for the daily classes in movement, aural and rhythmic development. Fun guaranteed!

Teaching session 1
2025-08-21 08:45 - 11:00
The first teaching session of the day. Over 30 faculty will be working with participants in daily intensive individual lessons. All lessons also open to observe.

Adult Amateur Workshop
2025-08-21 11:30 - 13:00 | G06
The daily workshop for the adult amateur course. Join Kathryn Page for helpful and encouraging advice.

“The words ‘thank you’ are totally inadequate to express what I feel. My teachers were all amazing, and I count myself blessed to have had such an opportunity. That I felt that they all took me seriously, despite being an amateur, was a tribute to their genuine love of what they were doing, and I was so, so grateful. I can’t believe I have learned and experienced so much in 1 week.”

Teaching session 2
2025-08-21 11:30 - 13:30
Individual lessons continue apace. With so many wonderful teachers and course options everyone will be kept very busy!. The piano summer school has an ‘open door’ policy – so do go and listen to other lessons. You might decide you want to learn jazz or harpsichord!

Lunchtime Recital - Hannah Roberts, Cello and Simon Parkin, Piano
2025-08-21 13:45 - 14:30 | Stoller Hall
We are delighted to welcome cellist Hannah Roberts and pianist Simon Parkin to give a lunchtime recital.
Hannah Roberts is one of the outstanding ‘cellists of her generation. She she was privileged to have studied extensively with William Pleeth at the Yehudi Menuhin School and Ralph Kirshbaum at the Royal Northern College of Music.
Having won prizes in numerous prestigious competitions and awards such as the Shell LSO, BBC Young Musician, Jacqueline Du Pré Memorial, and Pierre Fournier awards, Hannah has gone on to give many concerto performances with leading orchestras, including the London Mozart Players, LSO, BBC Concert Orchestra, and the Hallé, also making frequent broadcasts for BBC radio and recording for ASV.

Internationally, she has taken part in the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival in Los Angeles, Vivac-e Festival, and Heifetz Institute in the U.S., Encore Chamber Music, International Cello Institute, and numerous other festivals in Europe, and enjoys an active schedule of solo and chamber music performances.
In addition to her activities as a soloist, chamber musician, and principal ‘cellist of the award-winning chamber orchestra Manchester Camerata, Hannah is a committed and sought-after teacher. Recently announced as Jacqueline Du Pré Professor of Cello at the RAM in London, she is also Professor of Cello at the RNCM in Manchester, Visiting Artist in Cello at RBC, and visiting tutor for the University of Oxford.
Her distinguished roster of student alumni includes the British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, South African artist Abel Selaocoe, and some of the world’s most notable young soloists, chamber musicians, and principal ‘cellists.
Simon Parkin studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School at the age of 10 and trained there as a pianist. An early interest in composition was encouraged there, and at 17 Simon entered Manchester University and the RNCM as a composition student. Upon graduation he was invited onto the staff at RNCM, where he has taught a range of practically-based subjects including aural, improvisation, composition and arranging. He is now Deputy Head of Academic Studies at the RNCM. He has also taught improvisation and composition at both the Menuhin and the Purcell music schools.
Simon has developed his role as an accompanist/duo pianist, enjoying a comprehensive repertoire, and as well as his partnership with Hannah, he works regularly with artists such as Ralph Kirshbaum, and has performed with a range of international artists at festivals and in recital. He is regularly invited as pianist for instrumental classes at IMS Prussia Cove, London Masterclasses and the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Masterclasses, and has recorded a recital disk with violinist Detlef Hahn.
Beethoven: variations on ‘Ein Madchen Oder Weibchen’ from Moxart’s’Magic Flute’
Simon Parkin: 3 pieces
Frank Bridge: Sonata

Junior Foundation 'drop in' performance class
2025-08-21 14:45 - 15:30 | G06
Every day come along to hear other young pianists playing on a grand piano, in front of a supportive audience and member of the faculty. A wonderful way to hear amazing music and to get a chance to perform yourself. Participants and observers welcome.

Junior Advanced 'drop in' performance class
2025-08-21 15:30 - 16:15 | G06
Don’t miss this opportunity to perform in front of friends on the Advanced Junior Course. Pop in anytime you are free.

'Drop in' performance class
2025-08-21 16:15 - 17:00 | G06
An exciting addition to the course – a daily opportunity to perform and hear other pianists on the course in a very informal performance session, hosted by a member of the faculty. All welcome.

Charles Owen Recital
2025-08-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Stoller Hall
Charles Owen enjoys an extensive international career performing a wide-ranging repertoire to outstanding critical acclaim. He appears at major UK venues such as Bridgewater Hall, The Sage, Wigmore Hall & Kings Place. Internationally, he has performed at the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York, the Brahms Saal in Vienna’s Musikverein, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and Melbourne Recital Centre. His chamber music partners include Alina Ibragimova, Johan Dalene, Imogen Cooper, Steven Isserlis and Augustin Hadelich. Ensemble collaborations encompass the Carducci, Heath, Sacconi and Takács string quartets.
A regular guest at UK festivals such as Aldeburgh, Bath, Cheltenham, Three Choirs and Ryedale he has also performed in Australia at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Townsville and the Verbier Festival, Switzerland. Charles’s concerto appearances have included the Philharmonia, Hallé, Aurora and London Philharmonic orchestras. He has enjoyed collaborations with many leading conductors including Sir Mark Elder, Ryan Wigglesworth, Nicholas Collon and Martyn Brabbins.
Charles’s significant solo discography comprises piano music by JS Bach, Brahms, Fauré, Liszt, Janáček, Poulenc & Schumann. Chamber music albums include two-piano works by Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky & Poulenc with Katya Apekisheva, a disc of Janáček, Suk & Dvorak with violinist Augustin Hadelich and the world premiere recordings of the Piano Quintet & ´Between Friendsˋ by Jonathan Dove.
Together with pianist Katya Apekisheva he is Co-Artistic Director of London Piano Festival, a celebration of the instrument held annually at Kings Place since 2016. The festival presents many distinguished pianists whilst also commissioning outstanding composers to write music for two pianos. Sally Beamish, Nico Muhly, Elena Langer & Stephen Hough have all composed for the ongoing series.
Charles Owen is a Professor of Piano at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and enjoys leading masterclasses at a wide range of conservatoires and schools. In 2016 he was appointed Steinway & Sons UK Ambassador and is also an ambassador for the charity Help Musicians.
Liszt Deux légendes
Chaminade Sérénade Espagnole, Op 150
Chaminade Guitare, Op 32
De Falla Fantasia Baetica
Ravel Le tombeau de Couperin

Peter Donohoe Recital
2025-08-21 20:30 - 21:30 | Stoller Hall
“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
Busoni Fantasia Contrapuntistica
Beethoven Sonata in Bb major Op 106 – ‘Hammerklavier’
1 Allegro
2 Scherzo: Assai vivace
3 Adagio sostenuto
4 Introduzione: Largo… Allegro – Fuga: Allegro risoluto

© Martin Lijinsky

Late Night Participant recitals
2025-08-21 22:00 - 23:00
A wonderful opportunity to listen to fellow participants performing recitals around the school.

Baronial Hall
