Enjoy a beautiful early evening concert of great piano music spanning the romance of Beethoven’s Pathétique Sonata and the jazzy rhythms of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, played by the ebullient Warren Mailley-Smith.
Starting at 7pm, this 75 minute programme without interval leaves you plenty of time for drinks or dinner in town afterwards.
Warren Mailley-Smith: Piano
Rapidly establishing himself as one of the best pianists of his generation Warren Mailley-Smith is that rare, exceptional talent who turns out to be utterly charming and down to earth, with a gentle, self-deprecating sense of humour. Combined with his formidable technical skill and mature musicality, these attributes have made him a favourite for both audiences and St Martin’s staff alike.” St Martin-in-the-Fields, Staff Pick of the Month
In 2016 Warren Mailley-Smith became the first British pianist to perform Chopin's complete works for solo piano from memory in a series of 11 recitals at St John's Smith Square, hailed by the critics as an "epic achievement". Mailley-Smith will repeat the series at several venues in 2022-23.
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, he gives over 100 solo performances per season.
His career has taken him all over the world, with solo performances in Australia, Europe and most recently solo tours in China and the USA. He is a popular soloist on the London concert scene and performs regularly in music societies, festivals and concert halls throughout the UK and abroad.
He has 40 piano concertos in his repertoire, having made his concerto debut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. His recordings have been featured by Classic FM as CD of the Week and are featured regularly on Classic FM and the BBC. He is also an active chamber musician and is the Artistic Director of the Piccadilly Chamber Music Series and The Piccadilly Sinfonietta.
Susan Parkes: Soprano
Award-winning soprano Susan Parkes held a scholarship at Royal College of Music for both undergraduate and postgraduate opera studies. She made her BBC Proms solo debut with Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace which she later recorded for Virgin Records, reaching no 1 in the classical charts. Her many opera roles include Contessa, Donna Anna, Fiordiligi, Leonore, Santuzza, Mimi, Micaela and Cio Cio San and she has premiered new operatic works especially written for her voice. Highlight performances include Sadler’s Wells, the Royal Opera House (Linbury Studio), the Royal Albert Hall, Salzburg Festival and tours in Italy, Africa and Australia. She won Best Female Voice at the 12th Umberto Giordano International Opera Competition in Italy. She has appeared on BBC Radio, as well as singing for Hollywood films, West End plays, giving vocal masterclasses, choral conducting and guest lecturing at Oxford University for CASI. During lockdown, as part of the Royal Albert Hall’s live-streamed solo concert series, she wrote and sang Opera for Kids: Amazing Arias! which has received 14,000 views on Youtube.