Strand International Piano Series 2025/6 -Rachmaninoff 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.

Featuring
Simon Watterton (piano)

Programme
Rachmaninoff - Prelude in C Sharp Minor op.3 no.2
Rachmaninoff - Prelude in B minor op.32 no.10
Rachmaninoff - Prelude in G Sharp Minor op.32 no.12
Mendelssohn - Rondo Capriccioso op.14
Beethoven - Sonata in C Minor op 13 Pathetique

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.