Toad Lane Concerts: Lewis Kingsley Peart piano

Lewis Kingsley Peart

Pianist Lewis Kingsley Peart, a Chetham’s alumnus, and graduate of London’s Trinity Laban Conservatoire made a welcome return to Toad Lane Concerts on Wednesday 23 August.

Based in both London and Manchester, Lewis enjoys a busy life as a working musician. He delivered a dynamic recital full of energy and musicality with beautifully articulated introductions, all from memory.

Paderewski, that world-famous virtuoso (who, incidentally, was also the Polish Prime Minister and a signatory for the end of WW1) was gleefully represented by his Minuet in G and Nocturne in B-flat.

The Hungarian composer-pianist Dohnányi enjoyed similar treatment in his Aria, Op. 23 No. 1 and Rhapsody in C. Lewis brings a freshness of attack and insightful power to his interpretations.

The 1940s silver screen often used piano concertos to underpin romantic narratives such as with Charles Williams’ Dream of Olwen (1947) and Richard Addinsell’s Warsaw Concerto (1941). Lewis revived both of these pianistic gems lovingly and enthusiastically.

A delightful set of foot-tapping song transcriptions of Gershwin songs led to the grand finale of this brilliant showcase, Grünfeld’s Soirée de Vienne, Op. 56 (a concert paraphrase on Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus). Lewis’s passionate performance made full use of the vintage 1933 Challen grand and left the audience breathless and wishing for more.

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. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

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

Dr Joe Dawson