Part of Chetham’s International Piano Summer School 2026.
Between Wednesday 12 – Saturday 22 August, Chetham’s International Piano Summer School brings world class and legendary musicians to a vibrant, supportive community in central Manchester, now celebrating it’s 25th anniversary year. Alongside lectures, open lessons and opportunities to develop new skills, you can discover a daily programme of recitals from world-class performers.
Seating for these events will be unallocated. If you have any access requirements, please do let us know at boxoffice@stollerhall.com or on 0333 130 0967. You can find out more about access in our building here. Our venue will be open half an hour before each public performance and will close in between performances.
Day Five
Lunchtime Recital – YuanFang Yang, 1.45pm-2.30pm
Tickets £5.50. Students/U18 Free
We are thrilled to welcome back Yuanfan Yang on the faculty and to perform a solo recital.
“…exceptionally fine for a pianist of any age…brilliantly executed, beautifully organised, breathless in its excitement and deeply affecting in its sentiments” – International Piano Magazine
Yuanfan Yang is establishing himself as one of today’s most interesting and distinctive voices, as an award-winning multi-faceted pianist, composer, and improviser. His interpretations of Schumann and Liszt ‘rivalled those of the young Ashkenazy’ (International Piano Magazine), and his own compositions have been praised for their ‘soulful poignancy’ in The Observer.
Luke FAULKNER Work tbc
CHOPIN Barcarolle in F sharp, Op. 60
CHOPIN Polonaise-Fantasie in A flat, Op. 61
Improvisations on themes and styles suggested by the audience
A Recital by Adam Swayne, 7pm
Tickets £22.50, Students/U18 £5.50
Adam Swayne has created an acclaimed tribute to honour those who fell or endured the tragedies of 9/11. His program marks the 25th anniversary by offering reflection, catharsis, intimacy, community and hope for audiences in the 2026-27 concert season.
Throughout the recital, voices from a diverse range of American communities are heard, with three focussed on private reflections of 9/11. These include African American composer Karen Walwyn, gay New York composer David Del Tredici, and a new work by Kevin Malone: “Sudden Memorials”. This 30-minute composition captures in sound the instant and fleeting memorials that friends and relatives leave at the scene of a tragedy. The work embraces polystylism, bringing further inclusivity into the narrative, and asks the pianist to use theatrical gestures and improvisation as part of the performance. Alongside three pioneering works by Henry Cowell, a very slow piece by Scott Joplin called “Solace” completes the programme by challenging the stereotype projected onto this composer during the twentieth century.
A Recital by Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen, 8.30pm
Tickets £22.50, Students/U18 £5.50
Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen are passionate advocates for the wide range of four hands and two piano repertoire. They began performing together in 2001 since when they have firmly established themselves as one of the leading piano duo partnerships.
MESSIAEN Visions de l’Amen
Amen de la Création
Amen des étoiles, de la planète à l’anneau
Amen de l’agonie de Jésus
Amen du Désir
Amen des Anges, des Saints, du chant des oiseaux
Amen du Jugement
Amen de la Consommation
