Toad Lane Concerts: Lewis Kingsley Peart piano

Based in both London and Manchester, Lewis Kingsley Peart enjoys a busy life as a working musician and he made a welcome return to Toad Lane Concerts at St Mary in the Baum on Wednesday 14 August.

Lewis studied at Chethams School of Music and London's Trinity Laban Conservatoire. He made his debuts at St John’s, Smith Square in 2018, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at St Mary’s Cathedral, and London’s St Martin-in-the-Fields in 2022, and with the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra in Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 in 2023. 

Lewis has a genial and confident manner and introduces with interesting information that quickly establishes him as a trustworthy interpreter.

We began with the charming and bubbly 2nd Movement of Piano Sonata by the Danish composer Niels Gade. He was the dedicatee of Edvard Grieg’s only piano sonata, Op. 7, which followed.

Grieg’s extended work showed Lewis’s virtuoso technique and musical phrasing to great effect.

Grieg is not only known for his famous piano concerto, but also for his miniatures and Lewis delivered his Melody, Elegy, Notturno, and the lively Wedding Day at Troldhaugen beautifully. A Norwegian travel brochure.

 

 

A further link took us to the Australian born Percy Grainger, known for his eccentric style and a champion of Grieg’s music. Grainger’s Country Gardens are not full of gentle swaying wildflowers but marching brass bands, madding crowds and riotous hullabaloo. Great fun.

Calming us down from this frenetic world, Lewis played us out with Grainger’s Irish Tune from County Derry (also known as Danny Boy). With sumptuous harmony this version requires great control to bring out the melody in the middle parts, which Lewis managed skilfully, and produced a touching finale.

Lewis joined a distinguished line of visiting piano experts who have put the heritage 1935 Challen 8-foot Concert Grand Piano at St Mary's through its paces since refurbishment. A superb way to celebrate the 1,100th Toad Lane Concert since taking over from the council.

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

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

Dr Joe Dawson