Composer spotlight: Bach by Candlelight
London, St Mary Le Strand Church
About the Event
Step into a world of timeless elegance with an exquisite piano recital celebrating the genius of J.S. Bach, brought to life in the breathtaking, candlelit setting of St Mary Le Strand—one of London’s architectural treasures, a baroque masterpiece offers a truly majestic and intimate atmosphere, making it the perfect setting for an evening of classical brilliance.
Surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight, guests will be immersed in the beauty and serenity of this historic venue. The programme will feature an exquisite handpicked selection of J.S. Bach’s timeless keyboard works on the church's brand new Steinway Model B piano. Bach’s genius will be brought to life by leading concert pianist Warren Mailley‐Smith, promising a performance that is as intellectually stirring as it is emotionally resonant.
With a host of excellent bars and restaurants nearby, you can complete your evening with fine dining or a relaxed drink, just moments from the venue.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, history, and atmosphere—an ideal way to experience the joy of Bach in one of London’s most beautiful churches.
Warren Mailley‐Smith has developed a large following across the UK, with audiences warming to his outstanding pianism, effortless technique and charismatic charm. He made waves in the music world in 2015 through his extraordinary achievement of performing the complete solo works of Chopin from memory. His career has taken him all over the world, with solo performances in Australia, Europe and tours in China and the USA. He has given acclaimed solo recitals at The Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall and has performed for the British Royal Family on numerous occasions. One of the busiest concert pianists of his generation and gave over 200 performances last year. He has 30 piano concertos in his repertoire, having made his concerto debut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Program
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Prelude and Fugue in C major (book 1)
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Prelude and Fugue in C minor (book 1)
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Prelude and Fugue in G sharp minor (book 1)
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Italian Concerto
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Partita no 3 in C minor
Artists
| Piano: | Warren Mailley‐Smith |
|---|
Johann Sebastian Bach
The name Bach and the word musician had long been synonyms in Germany as the world saw 56 musicians from this kin. But it was Johann Sebastian Bach, a genius composer and virtuoso organ player, who shed lustre on his family name. He was born on th 31st of March 1685 in Eisenach, a small town in Thuringia. At the age of 10 he became an orphan and was brought up by his elder brother Johann Christoph, who was an organist in a neighbouring town. His brother was the one to teach music to the young Johann Sebastian. Later he moved to Luneburg where he attended a church school and mastered the techniques of playing violin, viola, piano and organ by the age of 17. Besides that, Bach was a choir singer and later after his voice broke he became a chanter’s assistant. In 1703 Bach was hired as a court musician in the chapel of Duke Johann Ernst III. He earned such a good reputation there that he was later invited to Arnstadt to be an organist at the New Church, where he wrote his best organ works. In 1723 he moved to Leipzig to be a chantor at St. Thomas Church where he stayed until his death of a stroke in 1750. In the year of his death he had undergone unsuccessful eye surgery which lead him to lose his eyesight. During that strenuous time his second wife Anna Magdalena helped him to write his last musical pieces. Bach’s artistic legacy is vast. He created compositions in all genres of the time: oratorias, cantatas, masses, motets, music for organ, piano and violin.
Address
St Mary Le Strand Church, Strand, London, United Kingdom — Google Maps
