The Strand International Piano Series - The Beethoven Sonatas

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 5th 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.

This year’s series celebrates one of the most profound and enduring achievements in the piano repertoire: Beethoven’s 32 Piano Sonatas. Spanning the full arc of Beethoven’s creative life, these masterpieces offer an extraordinary portrait of the composer’s evolving musical voice—from youthful elegance and Classical clarity to thunderous drama, virtuosic brilliance, profound lyricism, and deeply introspective beauty. These concerts are a tribute to Beethoven at the 200th anniversary of his death.

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
Christina Lawrie (piano)

Programme
Beethoven - Sonata No. 19 in G minor, Op. 49, No. 1
Beethoven - Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53 (Waldstein)
Brahms -  Four Pieces for Piano, op 119
Debussy - L’Isle Joyeuse

Christina Lawrie enjoys an exciting and varied career as soloist, song pianist and chamber musician. Career highlights include solo recitals for Wigmore Hall; Purcell Room; Leeds International Concert Season; St. George's, Bristol; Perth Concert Hall; Grieg Concerto with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and live performances for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio Scotland. 

Christina adores chamber music and the song repertoire. She collaborates regularly with artists including her violinist husband Marcus Barcham Stevens and baritone Stephen Varcoe, as well as many of the RCM vocal students. Along with violinist Harriet Mackenzie, Christina recently recorded a CD of music by Grieg, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. The CD was released in August 2018 on the Nimbus label.

Christina is a graduate of Cambridge University, the RCM and RAM. She studied with Sergei Babayan, Joan Havill, Vanessa Latarche and Yonty Solomon.

“…formidable intellect and boundless technique…fantastic playing”. The Observer