Chetham’s International Piano Summer School

Forysth Piano Workshop tour
2023-08-19 12:30 - 15:45 (Europe/London)
12.30 – 13.45 and 2.30pm – 15.45 – Tours of Forsyth’s Piano Workshops, Showrooms & Private Collection of Historical Keyboard Instruments

If you’ve enjoyed trying the 20 or so beautiful pianos that Forsyth have brought to the Summer School, you’ll love the enormous piano showroom just down the road at their historic 5-storey premises where you can try over 150!

Tai Chi
2023-08-20 08:00 - 08:30
We are thrilled to welcome Philip Smith to take early morning Tai Chi on part two of CIPSS. A perfect start to the day. Suitable for all ages.
The session will be held outside if the weather is kind.

Teaching session 3
2023-08-20 14:30 - 16:45
The final teaching session of the day for all individual lessons.

Philip Martin

Murray McLachlan Recital - The Chopin connection
2023-08-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Stoller Hall
‘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 Chopin connection- The Four Ballades with later homages
Homage à Godowsky- Chopin Nocturne op 9 no. 2 for left hand alone. Murray McLachlan (2022)
Chopin
Ballade no. 1 in G minor op. 23
Ballade no. 2 in F major/A minor op. 38
Ballade no. 3 in A flat op. 47
Ballade no. 4 in F minor op. 52

Ronald Stevenson Fugue on a fragment of Chopin (1949)

© Martin Lijinsky

Tai Chi
2023-08-21 08:00 - 08:30
Tai Chi’s gentle exercise help to reduce stress and tone and strengthen muscles. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Everyone welcome.

Junior Foundation 'drop in' practice clinic
2023-08-21 09:30 - 10:15 | G06
For all young pianists on the Foundation Course. Drop in to play a bar, or a small section, ask about fingering and learn lots of tips to take you into your practice room. Stay for 5 minutes or the whole class – so much can be discovered by listening to everyone.

Teaching session 3
2023-08-21 14:30 - 16:45
The third teaching session of the day. Over 100 pianos will be played during this session!

Martino Tirimo

Lecture with Peter Donohoe
2023-08-21 17:15 - 18:00 | Stoller Hall
In the years since his unprecedented success as Silver Medal winner of the 1982 7th International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, Peter Donohoe has built an extraordinary world-wide career, encompassing a huge repertoire and over forty years’ experience as a pianist, as well as continually exploring many other avenues in music-making. He is acclaimed as one of the foremost pianists of our time, for his musicianship, stylistic versatility and commanding technique.
Today Peter will talk about his experiences as a jury member on some of the world’s leading piano competitions. This promises to be a fascinating and illuminating talk.

Tai Chi
2023-08-22 08:00 - 08:30
Join Philip for another refreshing session of Tai Chi. If the weather is good we will hold this outside.

Teaching session 1
2023-08-22 08:45 - 11:00
Individual lessons continue with lessons taking place throughout the school. In addition to the piano course there will be lessons in jazz, composition, harpsichord, analysis, improvisation, theory, aural, sight-reading, dalcroze and alexander technique!

Noriko Ogawa teaching.

Teaching session 2
2023-08-22 11:30 - 13:00
The 2nd teaching session of the day. All of the faculty are busy giving daily individual lessons on all courses. Observers always welcome.

Philip Fowke working with the adult amateur workshop.

John Lenehan presents Sounds for Silents
2023-08-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Stoller Hall
We are delighted to welcome back John Lenehan for another outstanding programme of silent films. Free to summer school paritipcnats – tickes are available for the general public from the Stoller Hall.
Praised by the New York Times for his “great flair and virtuosity”, John Lenehan’s performances and recordings have been acclaimed throughout the world. With more than 70 albums to his credit, reflecting an enormous variety of genres and styles, John Lenehan ranks as one of the most versatile pianists on the international classical music scene today.
In this original programme, John accompanies a programme of silent movies and music-inspired films. As director of “Sounds for Silents” he has written and arranged more than 20 film scores, which have been performed throughout the UK in Festivals such as Aldeburgh, Cheltenham, Brighton and Harrogate as well as in Italy, Germany, Norway and Australia. He continues to present film and music programmes, reviving the art of the improvising pianist – the most recent including the silent films of Laurel and Hardy.

Tai Chi
2023-08-23 08:00 - 08:30
The final session of Tai Chi. If you have not been before don’t miss the chance to come along and find out more. Suitable for all.

Teaching session 1
2023-08-23 08:45 - 11:00
The last day on part 2 for individual lessons. All lessons are open to observe – don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn from the outstanding faculty.

Nikki Iles and Friends
2024-08-08 21:15 - 22:15 | Oglesby Atrium
“A formidable UK jazz presence …”
“Iles is one of the most refreshing figures to have emerged in the UK scene in recent times, with a liquid sound and supple, obliquely resolved phrasing as an improviser”.
“Formidably creative…. “The Heroine of British Jazz …” The Guardian
‘Nikki Iles is a pianist of extraordinary imagination who thrives on fugitive melodies…” The Observer

We are thrilled to welcome back Nikki Iles to the course to both teach and perform.
Tonight Nikki is joined by Caroline Boaden and Steve Berry for an informal performance in the Oglesby Atrium.

Masterclass with Paul Lewis
2024-08-09 09:30 - 12:30 | Stoller Hall
This morning Paul will work with talented young pianists in a masterclass from Stoller Hall. Free to all participants. Public tickets available from Stoller Hall box office. Chetham’s International Piano Summer School – Public Performances: Day Two | The Stoller Hall

Paul’s multi-award winning discography for Harmonia Mundi includes the complete Beethoven piano sonatas, concertos, and the Diabelli Variations, Liszt’s B minor sonata and other late works, all of Schubert’s major piano works from the last six years of his life including the 3 song cycles with tenor Mark Padmore, solo works by Schumann and Mussorgsky, and the Brahms D minor piano concerto with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Daniel Harding. Future recording plans include a multi-CD series of Haydn sonatas, Beethoven’s bagatelles, and works by Bach.

After Chetham’s Paul studied with Joan Havill at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London before going on to study privately with Alfred Brendel. He is co-Artistic Director of Midsummer Music, an annual chamber music festival held in Buckinghamshire, UK.

Junior Foundation 'drop in' performance class
2024-08-09 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.

Lecture with Murray McLachlan - Traum der Jugend: reflections on Ferruccio Busoni 100 years on
2024-08-09 17:15 - 18:00 | Stoller Hall
The first lecture of the course celebrates Ferruccio Busoni – 1866 – 1924
‘Music is so constituted that every context is a new context and should be treated as an ‘exception’. The solution of a problem, once found, cannot be reapplied to a different context. Our art is a theatre of surprise and invention, and of the seemingly unprepared. The spirit of music arises from the depths of our humanity and is returned to the high regions whence it has descended on mankind.’ F.Busoni
Free to all summer school participants. Tickets available to the public from the Stoller Hall.

Junior Piano Group Class
2024-08-10 08:45 - 09:30 | Carole Nash Hall
The morning begins for the Junior pianists with a group class in the magnificent Carole Nash Hall. This photo from last year shows the class exploring the importance of posture with Murray McLachlan.

Junior Foundation 'drop in' practice workshop
2024-08-10 09:30 - 10:15 | G06
The daily ‘drop -in’ class for all Junior Foundation 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.

Adult amateur workshop
2024-08-10 11:30 - 13:00 | G06
Enjoy 90 minutes of music making with pianists on the adult amateur course. Marta Karbownicka will offer helpful and constructive feedback. Observers always welcome.

Faculty Gala recital
2024-08-10 20:30 - 21:45 | Stoller Hall
The now traditional Gala Recital featuring outstanding members of the faculty. An exciting and varied programme guaranteed.
Free for all summer school participants. Tickets available for the public from the Stoller Hall.
Rachmaninov Caprice bohémien Op. 12 (Capriccio on gypsy themes) Honor O’Hea and Robert Andres
Brahms 3 Intermezzi Op 117 John Thwaites
Arnold Griller’s ‘Songs of the ChenFinch’ for two pianos Bobby Chen and Douglas Finch
Graham Lynch (1957-)
Blue Bird in the Mythic Forest
Rock Crystal world première Lauryna Sableviciute
Both 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.
Grieg Notturno Op. 54 No. 4 Debussy L’Isle Joyeuse Gemma Webster
Jeremy Pike – Prelude on E flat major world première Katie Laing
Douglas Finch – Improvisation – audience suggestions very welcome!
Ravel La Valse for 2 pianos Kathryn Stott and Ben Powell

Junior Piano Group Class
2024-08-11 08:45 - 09:30 | Carole Nash Hall
The morning group class for all pianists enrolled on the Junior Course. Inspiration and camaraderie as you learn together, in a supportive and friendly group.

Junior Foundation 'drop in' practice workshop
2024-08-11 09:30 - 10:15 | G06
The final ‘drop -in’ class on part one for all Junior Foundation pianists. A great way to set up the day with tips on every aspect of piano playing from a member of the faculty. If you haven’t made it to the class yet do come in for some helpful tips.

'Drop in' performance class
2024-08-11 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.

Lecture with Robert Andres - Pianos and Pianism: Frederic Horace Clark and the Quest for Unity of Mind, Body and Universe
2024-08-11 17:15 - 18:00 | Stoller Hall
Pianos and Pianism: Frederic Horace Clark and the Quest for Unity of Mind, Body and Universe
Robert Andres, author of Pianos and Pianism, will give illuminating insight into Clark’s work and his place in the history of the development of piano technique.
Free to all summer school participants. Tickets available to the public from the Stoller Hall.

Michael Lewin Recital
2024-08-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Stoller Hall
Michael Lewin is internationally applauded as one of America’s most gifted concert pianists, performing to acclaim in over 30 countries. His many recordings, enormous repertoire and charismatic stage presence have established him as an artist whose warmth, imagination and dazzling virtuosity make him an audience favorite.
We are thrilled to welcome Michael back to Stoller Hall.
Gian-Carlo Menotti Ricercare and Toccate (1953)
(On a theme from “The Old Maid and the Thief”

Charles Griffes Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan (1915)

Franz Liszt Sonata in B minor

Stoller Hall Professional Film Recording
2024-08-12 08:30 - 12:00
An exciting opportunity for participants to make a professional quality film recording in the award winning Stoller Hall, on a magnificent Steinway Model D piano. We are delighted to welcome back James from Mill Media once again.
The film can be used for entry into competitions, for auditions or to promote the young pianist on social media.
Please book early as space is limited.
NB this is an additional fee – please tick the box on the application form.

Drop in practise workshop
2024-08-12 08:45 - 09:30 | G06
Come along for help with a particular bar, phrase or any aspect of a piece you are playing. A member of the faculty will look forward to helping everyone discover new and exciting ways to practise.

Junior Piano Group Class
2024-08-12 08:45 - 09:30 | Carole Nash Hall
The final daily group class on part one for all pianists on the Junior Piano Course.
A chance to learn together before individual lessons and workshops continue throughout the day.
