The Strand International Piano Series 2025/6 - The Rachmaninov Preludes at St Mary Le Strand Church, London on Thursday 28th May 2026

The Strand International Piano Series 2025/6 - The Rachmaninov Preludes

Part of the Strand International Piano Series 2025-2026

Add to my Calendar 28-05-2026 20:00 28-05-2026 22:00 36 The Strand International Piano Series 2025/6 - The Rachmaninov Preludes Step into the stunning candlelit setting of St Mary le Strand — “the Jewel of the Strand” — for the return of The Strand International Piano Series, now it's in fourth year after a critically acclaimed launch season in 2022–23. This intimate and architecturally impressive Baroque church has quickly become one of London’s most captivating concert venues, offering sublime acoustics along with the power and clarity of a brand-new Steinway concert grand piano. This year’s series celebrates one of the most evocative and emotionally charged achievements in the piano repertoire: Sergei Rachmaninoff’s 24 Preludes. Spanning every major and minor key, these works offer a sweeping portrait of the composer’s inner world—from thunderous drama and virtuosic brilliance to haunting lyricism and introspective beauty. Written across different periods of his life, the preludes reflect the full range of Rachmaninoff’s genius, and each concert in the series reveals a new facet of his profound musical voice. Whether you’re a seasoned concert-goer or discovering classical piano music for the first time, this is an evening not to be missed—set in one of London’s most atmospheric musical spaces, just steps away from some of the city’s finest restaurants and bars. About Simon WattertonWirral born pianist Simon Watterton has given recitals as soloist and chamber musician all across the world. In recent years he has performed in China, Canada, the USA, Sweden and Italy as well as extensively in the UK and Republic of Ireland.He made his concerto debut at London’s Cadogan Hall and was featured as a Rising Star in International Piano Magazine at the time of a cycle he gave of all the Beethoven piano sonatas in London. He has appeared at the Wigmore Hall, St John’s, Smith Square and the Purcell Room, as well as performing live on Radio 3’s InTune and for Classic FM.As chamber musician he has made two visits on a collaborative piano internship to the Banff Centre, Canada, and has worked with a number of artists including his wife, Irish violinist Anna Cashell, ‘cellist Raphael Wallfisch and violinist Daniel Rohn. In addition to this his piano trio have also performed extensively in the UK to critical acclaim. St Mary Le Strand Church, London DD/MM/YYYY

Details

St Mary Le Strand Church
Strand
The Strand
London
WC2R 1ES
England

Thursday 28th May 2026
8:00 PM

Tickets

Prices: £10, £20, £30, £40
Booking line: 0333 666 33 66
Book Tickets

Programme

Sergei Rachmaninov – Prelude in C sharp minor, Op.3 no.2
Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Sonata no.8 in C minor 'Pathétique', Op.13
Felix Mendelssohn – Rondo capriccioso, Op.14
Sergei Rachmaninov – Prelude in G sharp minor, Op.32 no.12
Sergei Rachmaninov – Prelude in B minor, Op.32 no.10

Performers

Simon Watterton – piano

Other concerts in this Series (+)

Programme Note

Step into the stunning candlelit setting of St Mary le Strand — “the Jewel of the Strand” — for the return of The Strand International Piano Series, now it's in fourth year after a critically acclaimed launch season in 2022–23. This intimate and architecturally impressive Baroque church has quickly become one of London’s most captivating concert venues, offering sublime acoustics along with the power and clarity of a brand-new Steinway concert grand piano.

This year’s series celebrates one of the most evocative and emotionally charged achievements in the piano repertoire: Sergei Rachmaninoff’s 24 Preludes. Spanning every major and minor key, these works offer a sweeping portrait of the composer’s inner world—from thunderous drama and virtuosic brilliance to haunting lyricism and introspective beauty. Written across different periods of his life, the preludes reflect the full range of Rachmaninoff’s genius, and each concert in the series reveals a new facet of his profound musical voice.

Whether you’re a seasoned concert-goer or discovering classical piano music for the first time, this is an evening not to be missed—set in one of London’s most atmospheric musical spaces, just steps away from some of the city’s finest restaurants and bars.

About Simon Watterton
Wirral born pianist Simon Watterton has given recitals as soloist and chamber musician all across the world. In recent years he has performed in China, Canada, the USA, Sweden and Italy as well as extensively in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
He made his concerto debut at London’s Cadogan Hall and was featured as a Rising Star in International Piano Magazine at the time of a cycle he gave of all the Beethoven piano sonatas in London. He has appeared at the Wigmore Hall, St John’s, Smith Square and the Purcell Room, as well as performing live on Radio 3’s InTune and for Classic FM.
As chamber musician he has made two visits on a collaborative piano internship to the Banff Centre, Canada, and has worked with a number of artists including his wife, Irish violinist Anna Cashell, ‘cellist Raphael Wallfisch and violinist Daniel Rohn. In addition to this his piano trio have also performed extensively in the UK to critical acclaim.

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