Toad Lane Concert: Jonathan Ellis piano

Jonathan Ellis

Jonathan has been a regular pillar of Toad Lane Concerts for several years, as accompanist, chamber musician, and today, as a soloist in his own right. Sometimes this has been at short notice, but he can always be relied upon to rise to the occasion.

He started learning the piano aged three, then after Wells Cathedral School he was accepted on the prestigious joint course of the RNCM and Manchester University where he achieved first class degrees from both institutions, continuing to excel with higher diplomas and prizes from the RNCM.

His professional work embraces all the above plus repetiteur and directorial roles and he has the distinction of being the triple prize-winner of the Buxton Festival Fringe, 2010, 2011 and 2014.

Jonathan made terrific use of the vintage Challen Grand piano at St Mary in the Baum, which was previously housed in the former Rochdale Art Galleries.

J.S. Bach’s Italian Concerto was performed with magisterial command and a Presto sustained at a blistering pace. Then Beethoven’s prodigious Sonata Op. 57, appropriately called the ‘Appassionata’ was indeed full of heartfelt passion with tremendous power and superb control of expressive contrasts.

Last February, Jonathan broke his right wrist, from which he has fortunately been making a good recovery. So, it was fitting that he played Scriabin’s Prelude in C# minor and Nocturne in Db major Op. 9 for left hand alone. Seeing is believing with these works: complex and large-scale pianism required despite the absence of one hand! Seemingly no problem for Jonathan, and back to two hands for the monumental Fantasy in F minor by Chopin.

A welcome return to the concert platform.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade 1 listed St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available now, but the venue is Covid-19 compliant. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

To see details of forthcoming Toad Lane Concerts, click here.

Dr Joe Dawson