Lunchtime Recital Series |
Thursdays and Saturdays | 13:05 | Free Entry
St Alfege Church presents free lunchtime recitals every Thursday and Saturday at 13:05.
We have a close and longstanding relationship with Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and many of these concerts are performed by students from the institution, particularly on Thursdays.
Our Saturday programmes tend to draw from a wider net, showcasing a variety of local, national, and international talent that encompasses many genres and disciplines.
The musical and artistic journey of this historic building spans many centuries; as The Heart of Greenwich, the St Alfege Church team is committed to being vibrant stewards of this ongoing story for artists and audiences alike. We welcome new ideas, feedback, and thoughts on how we might better serve the artistic needs of this community.
If you are interested in performing in this series, if you wish to propose a concert/event outside of this series, or if you are interested in engaging creatively with the church in any other way, we would be very happy to discuss your proposed performance/idea and the suitability of St Alfege Church as a venue with you.
Please contact Rhian Davies, our Concerts and Recitals Coordinator, for further information.
NOVEMBER |
Saturday 2 November | 13.05 | Free
Asia Bonuccelli | Soprano
Ishan Bhadra | Piano
PROGRAMME |
Tosti | Sogno
Tosti | La sera
I. Introduzione per pianoforte
II. "Rimanete, vi prego, rimanete qui"
III. "Ci ferirebbe, forse, come un dardo, la luce"
IV. "Ma chi vide più larghi e più profondi occhi"
V. "E quale cosa eguaglia nella vita del mio spirito"
VI. "Piangi, tu che hai nei grandi occhi la mia anima"
Tosti | Due piccoli notturni
I. Van gli effluvî de le rose
II. O falce di luna calante
Tosti | Non t’amo più
Puccini | Donde lieta usci from La bohème
Puccini | Si. Mi chiamano mimi from La bohème
Puccini | Quando m’en vo from La bohème
Puccini | Signore, ascolta! from Turandot
Puccini | O mio babbino caro from Gianni Schicchi
Thursday 7 November | 13.05 | Free
Trinity Laban Chamber Musicians | Music for Voices and Pianos
Alisa Mansurova | Soprano
Leticia Sadilina | Soprano
Maksym Artemenko | Piano
Rose Ruifan Xuan | Piano
Saturday 9 November | 13.05 | Free
Zhimiao Geng | Piano
Zhimeng Liu| Piano
PROGRAMME |
Haydn | Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI/50
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro molto
Debussy | L'isle joyeuse
Prokofiev | Sonata No. 2 in D minor, Op. 14
I. Allegro ma non troppo
II. Scherzo, Allegro marcato
Mendelssohn | Variations Serieuses, Op. 54
Schumann | Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
I. So rasch wie möglich
II. Andantino. Getragen
III. Scherzo. Sehr rasch und markiert
IV. Rondo. Presto possible, Prestissimo, quasi cadenza
Zhimiao Geng, a young pianist, began learning piano at the age of six under the tutelage of pianist, conductor, and master Chiu Yinghong, who meticulously guided her rapid progress in piano skills. Her talent and musical charm won her teacher's admiration. At the age of ten, Zhimiao successfully held her first solo concert. In 2016, she won the first prize and the popularity award at the National Golden Sunflower Cup Youth Piano Competition, and in 2017, she received the Best Performance Award at the 5th KAWAI Asian Piano Competition. In the same year, she delivered a successful piano solo concert at the Shenzhen Concert Hall. In 2018, she performed as a pianist alongside the renowned conductor Zhang Xian with both the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra. In 2019, she was admitted to the Royal College of Music in London with outstanding results, studying piano under Professor Ilya Kondratiev and earning a Bachelor's degree in 2023. Supported by the Sir John Stratton Scholarship, she continued her master's studies at the same institution. In March 2020, Zhimiao participated in a concert featuring Ravel's works at the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall. In 2022, she was selected to perform in the Alexander Kobrin Masterclass at the Royal College of Music. In 2023, she participated in the Royal College of Music’s Keyboard Festival. From 2020 to 2023, she frequently performed in various churches including St. Mary Abbots Church, St. John’s Fulham Church, St. Cuthbert’s Church, and St. Stephen's Church. In May 2024, She played in the Concert "Oriental Charm of the Piano Keys" organized and composed by Chiu Yinghong as a principle pianist and received favorable reviews from the audience. In August 2024, She successfully held her Piano Concert at the Shenzhen Concert Hall.
Liu Zhimeng (Phoebe) is a Talent Unlimited Artist. She was born in China, and she started studying piano at the age of four. She was admitted to the Central Conservatory of Music Primary School at nine and studied under Jingzhuang Yao. Then in 2012, she was promoted to the Central Conservatory of Music Middle School, where she studied under the famous Chinese pianist Xiaohan Wang. While in school, she won the Fan Jianqin Scholarship for three consecutive years. In addition, from 2015 to 2018, she studied organs with the famous Chinese organist Fanxiu Shen.
After graduation, she was admitted to the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London, England, in 2019 with excellent results to study at the undergraduate level and received a full scholarship from C. Bechstein scholar supported by Mr. Lewis. Furthermore, after 2023, she continued studying for a master's degree at the Royal College of Music. Currently, she is studying under Professor Leon McCawley, a famous British Pianist. During this period, she also received the Mr. Redman Michael Redman Scholarship.
Zhimeng Liu has been mentored by many internationally renowned piano masters, including Vladimir Ovchinnikov, Dmitri Alexeev, Matti Raekallio, Soya Gulyak, Fabio Bidini, Susan Starr, Andrzej Jasnski, Vanessa Latarche, and Markus Groh, Sa Chen etc.
In addition, Zhimeng Liu has performed in various countries and regions worldwide. These include Beijing Concert Hall, China National Center for the Performing Arts, Taipei 101, Los Angeles Disney Concert Hall, as well as the Italian Embassy in China, the U.S. Embassy in China, Qintai Grand Theatre, Tianjin Grand Theater, Kunming Grand Theater, Ningbo Grand Theater, etc. Then, in 2018, she participated in the performance of the China National Center for the Performing Arts opera "Romeo and Juliet" as an organist and received a great response and praise. Moreover, since 2019, she has performed piano in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall several times at the Royal College of Music's Ravel Series Piano Work Concert and the Keyboard Festival.
Furthermore, Zhimeng Liu has also participated in many piano competitions and achieved good results. These include China's Third Cardanza, the 2011 Piano and Violin Competition, Golden Sunflower China Competition, the Alexandria Cup piano competition in Qingdao, Germany's Liszt Youth International Piano Competition, and the UK's Kendall Taylor Beethoven, Medici International Music Competition, and Windsor Piano Competition, 2024 IPPA Conero piano competition etc.
Thursday 14 November | 13.05 | Free
Trinity Laban Wind Ensembles |
Paul Boyes | Director
Abbie Burrows | Director
PROGRAMME |
Leoš Janáček | Mládí
i. Allegro
ii. Andante sostenuto
iii. Vivace
iv. Allegro animato
Sergei Rachmaninov | Ave Maria
Ana Geoghegan | The Bird’s Flock and Flight (TL Student Commission)
Gareth McLearnon | Single Yellow Line
Kate Whitley | Three Movements for Coma
i. Flowing
ii. Fast
iii. Calm
Saturday 16 November | 13.05 | Free
Maria Gîlicel | Violin
George Todică | Piano
PROGRAMME |
J.S. Bach (arr. A. Siloti) | Prelude in B minor, BWV 855a
Schubert | Impromptu Op. 90 No. 3 in G-flat major
Schubert | Impromptu Op. 90 No. 4 in A-flat major
Schubert (arr. Liszt) | ‘Ständchen’
Beethoven | Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 9 in A major, Op. 47, ‘Kreutzer’
I. Adagio sostenuto - Presto
II. Andante con variazioni
III. Presto
| EXTRA LUNCHTIME RECITAL |
Wednesday 20 November | 13.05 | Free
Luke Tyrrell | Guitar
PROGRAMME |
Regino Sàinz de la Maza (1896-1981) | Pieces from La Frontera de Dios
i. Albada y Paisaje
ii. Meditacion
iii. Idillio
Regino Sàinz de la Maza (1896-1981) | Zapateado
Walter Heinze (1943-) | Concordancias
i. Movido (to Harold Gramatges)
ii. Tranquilo (to Elvira)
iii. Tangueando (to Viti Villadangos)
iv. Andando
Antonio José (1902-1936) | Sonata para Guitarra
i. Allegro Moderato
ii. Minuetto
iii. Pavana Triste
iv. Allegro Con Brio
Isaías Sàvio (1900-1977) | 3 pieces from Cenas Brasilieras
i. Impressao de Rua
ii. Sonha Iaia
iii. Requebra Morena
Francisco Tàrrega (1852-1909) | Gran Jota
Luke Tyrrell | Guitar
Luke Tyrrell is a multi-award winning classical guitarist from Reading, England. Combining knowledge from all genres and varieties of guitar playing, and a special interest in underappreciated and underperformed works, Luke strives to offer audiences diverse and unique recitals.
Luke has performed at many prestigious venues and events around the United Kingdom, including at The London Guitar Festival, Helly’s International Guitar Festival, The Spanish Embassy, The Royal Greenwich Guitar Festival, The Old Royal Navel Chapel, and Charter house. Above all, in 2021, whilst still an undergraduate, Luke was honoured to win the Allison Stephens prize for plucked strings.
In 2024, Luke was honoured to be included as a member of the International Guitar Foundation’s Young Artist Program for the 2024-25 season.
Luke is currently presenting a program of his favourite pieces collected during his time studying in London at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. This includes lesser-known compositions from South America by Walter Heinze and Isaias Savio, and a wealth of early 20th century works from Spain. This period of Spanish history has been of particular interest to him and has shaped much of his recent study.
Luke will also be playing this set on tour in Cornwall this November as part of the KCA Concert Series.
Luke is proud to be supported by several generous organisations, including Help Musicians, The Greenwich Bluecoat Foundation and the Henry Wood Accommodation Trust. He is currently performing on a 2023 ‘Domenico Montagnana’ guitar by the German master luthier, Otto Rauch.
Thursday 21 November | 13.05 | Free
Trinity Laban Composers Concert |
Samby Anderson | Leader
Samby Anderson directs a 20-piece string ensemble of composer/performers, combining classical string instruments with banjos, mandolins, oud, Azerbaijani tar, pipa and more. All pieces presented will be written specifically for this concert by members of the composition department. All performers will also be students and staff of the composition department, ranging in experience from seasoned performers to amateurs, and including Head of Composition, Dominic Murcott.
PROGRAMME |
Polina Savicka | Things that glow
Samby Anderson | Temple Deluxe (after Julius Eastman)
Charlotte Jackson | Paths
Chris Kirkham | For Open Strings
Morad Kashef | Embrace of the Unknown
Freddie Smith-Wright | Psalm 115
Will Herbert Willson | Any Chord
Laurie Glass | Plucks
Arthur Hobson | Headache
Billy James | Glissandri/trills/harmonics
Saturday 23 November | 13.05 | Free
Neus Peris | Piano
PROGRAMME |
Aram Khachaturian | Toccata
Béla Bartók | Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56
I. Jocul cu bata (Stick Dance)
II. Braul (Sash Dance)
III. Pe loc (Stamping Dance)
IV. Buciumeana (Dance of Buchum)
V. Poarga romaneasca (Romanian Polka)
VI. Manuntelul (Fast Dance)
Olivier Messiaen | Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus
XI. Première communion de la Vierge
Leos Janácek | In the Mists
I. Andante
II. Molto agadio
III. Andantino
IV. Presto
Frederic Chopin | Nocturne in F# minor, Op. 48 No. 2
Frederic Chopin | Impromptu in Ab Major, Op. 29
Neus Peris | Piano
London based pianist Neus Peris is emerging as an exciting artist to see thanks to her sensitivity and expression in performance. Taking interest in a wide range of composers, her versatile repertoire include works by Bach, Brahms, Mompou, Messiaen and Mussorgsky among others, as well as contemporary music.
Having also developed a solid reputation as a collaborative pianist, Neus has performed both solo and chamber music in venues and festivals in the UK, Denmark, Norway, Spain, France, Portugal and the US.
Past engagements include a solo recital for Borough New Music – presenting music by Green, Wilson and Finch along with giving a world premier of a commissioned work by KC Cheng-, a collaboration with EOS ensemble, with music by Arutunian and Ustvolskaya, and a tour with mezzo-soprano Anna Prowse commemorating the Armistice Day, performing music by English composers related to WW1.
Originally from Barcelona, Neus has been living in London since 2015, where she completed a Masters Degree at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. She has had the privilege of receiving advice from many inspiring musicians such as Douglas Finch, Eileen and Derek Aviss, Philip Fowke, Eugene Asti, Malcolm Martineau and Pascal Rogé, to name just a few.
Upcoming projects include a collaboration with Swan Ensemble performing Dvorak Piano Quintet op.81 and a solo recital at New Lights Festival at Trinity Laban, premiering works by Douglas Finch and Marisse Cato.
For more info please visit www.neusperis.com
Thursday 28 November | 13.05 | Free
Trinity Laban Harp Department |
Lucia Foti | Harp
Isabel-Marie Eberhardt | Harp
Christabelle Sheum | Harp
Catherine Rajhans | Harp
PROGRAMME |
Ekaterina Walter-Kühne | Fantasy on a Theme from Eugene Onegin
Giovanni Caramiello | Rimembranza di Napoli, Op. 6
Scarlatti | Sonata in F minor, K. 466
J.S. Bach (transcr. Marcel Grandjany) | Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003
iii. Andante
Eric Schmidt | Study No. 6
John Marson | Suite for harp
i. Romance
ii. Scherzino
iii. Elegy
iv. Toccata
Saturday 30 November | 13.05 | Free
Ophelia Gordon | Piano
PROGRAMME |
Kapustin | Big Band Sounds, Op. 46
Kapustin | Contemplation, Op. 47
Kapustin | Paraphrase on ‘Aquarela do Brasil’, Op. 118
Kapustin | Concert Etudes, Op. 40
I. Prelude. Allegro Assai
II. Reverie. Moderato
III. Toccatina. Allegro
IV. Remembrance. Larghetto
V. Raillery. Vivace
VI. Pastorale. Allegro moderato
VII. Intermezzo. Allegretto
VIII. Final. Prestissimo
DECEMBER |
Thursday 5 December | 13.05 | Free
Trinity Laban Musical Theatre Department |
Saturday 7 December | 13.05 | Free
CANCELLED |
| EXTRA LUNCHTIME RECITAL |
Tuesday 10 December | 13.05 | Free
Stefano Fiacco | Lute
PROGRAMME |
P.P. Borrono da Milano (~ 1490 - ~1563) |
Peschatore che va cantando
Pavana chiamata la Milanesa
Saltarello de la preditta
Saltarello chiamato Rose e Viole
Saltarello chiamato bel Fiore
Tochata da sonare nel fine del ballo
Francesco Canova da Milano (1497 - 1543) |
Ricercare
Fantasia
De mon Triste (Jean Richefort)
Luys Milán (~1500 - ~1561) |
Fantasia I
Fantasia II
Fantasia III
Fantasia IV
Pavana VI
Luys de Narváez (~1500 - ~1555) |
La cancion del Emperador del quarto tono (Mille regres de Josquin)
Quatro diferencias sobre guardame las vacas
Alonso Mudarra (~1510 - 1580) |
Fantasia X que contrahaze la harpa en la manera de Ludovico
Enriquez de Valderrábano (~1500 - ~1557) |
Soneto Lombardo
Soneto. Primero grado (Libro VI)
Thursday 12 December | 13.05 | Free
Trinity Laban Chamber Side-by-Side with Stephen Upshaw | Sacred + Modern
PERFORMERS |
Victoria Churcher | Clarinet (Muhly only)
Chun He Yu | Piano (Muhly only)
Christina Schuetz | Violin
Mariapia Ferreri | Violin
Grace Byrne | Violin (Eastmann only)
Stephen Upshaw | Viola
Dana Concear | Viola (Eastmann only)
Gabriel Falcade | Cello
Max Lamprecht | Double Bass (Eastmann only)
PROGRAMME |
Julius Eastman | Gay Guerilla
Nico Muhly | Gibbons Suite
In this program, Trinity Laban viola professor Stephen Upshaw is joined by string, wind, and piano students for a concert of chamber music exploring the links between sacred music and contemporary composition.
Through the lens of two queer American composers closely linked to the thriving downtown scene in New York City across different generations, these works will resonate through St. Alfege Church and ask us about what the process of communal music making means today.
Written in 1979 Julius Eastman’s Gay Guerilla acknowledges the centuries old function of music as amplifier of highly charged feelings of conviction. Eastman puts his own spin on this spiritual fervour in works such as Our Father and Holy Presence of Joan D’Arc. In Gay Guerrilla, Eastman quotes Martin Luther’s famous hymn A Mighty Fortress is our God and creates a contemporary minimalist Choralfantasie.
Further illuminating the Anglo-American connection, Nico Muhly’s “Gibbons Suite”, is an arrangement of the great 17th century English composer Orlando Gibbon’s sacred choral works for chamber ensemble. Imbuing each instrument with specific vocal qualities, Muhly’s glowing music translates text into sound.
Saturday 14 December | 13.05 | Free
NO CONCERT |
Thursday 19 December | 13.05 | Free
Krassimira Jeliazkova-Jones | Violin
Veronica Henderson | Violoncello
PROGRAMME |
Johan Halvorsen |
Sarabande (With Variations on a Theme by Handel)
Beethoven |
Duet No. 2 in F Major for Violin and Violoncello, WoO 27
I. Allegro affettuoso
II. Aria. Larghetto
III. Rondo. Allegretto moderato (Vivace)
Honegger |
Sonatina for Violin and Violoncello, H. 80
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro
RECITALS WILL RESUME ON THURSDAY 9 JANUARY 2025
2025
JANUARY |
Thursday 9 January | 13.05 | Free
Trinity Laban Pianists |
Jun-Hwei Lim | Piano
Elise Hills | Piano
A solo piano concert to start the year, from Jun-Hwei Lim and Elise Hills. Programme to include selections from Schumann’s Fantasiestücke Op. 12.
Saturday 11 January | 13.05 | Free
TBC |
Thursday 16 January | 13.05 | Free
Trinity Laban Saxophone Choir |
Led by saxophone professor, Gerard McChrystal, Trinity Laban’s saxes present a varied programme of music, including original music by composer Jenni Watson, and arrangements of Bach, Stevie Wonder, and Earth, Wind and Fire!
Saturday 18 January | 13.05 | Free
Jay Austin Keys | Piano
PROGRAMME |
Johann Sebastian Bach | Prelude and Fugue IV in C# minor, BWV 849
Aaron Copland | Piano Variations
Jean Sibelius | 5 Pieces, Op. 75 “The Trees”
I - When the Roan-Tree Flowers
II - The Lonely Fir
III - The Aspen
IV - The Birch
V - The Spruce
Ernest John Moeran | Stalham River
Kenneth Leighton | Fantasia Contrappuntistica (Homage to Bach), Op. 24
Thursday 23 January | 13.05 | Free
Trinity Laban Chamber Musicians |
Yixuan Tian | Piano
Pianist Yixuan Tian performs a solo piano programme.
Saturday 25 January | 13.05 | Free
TBC |
Thursday 30 January | 13.05 | Free
Trinity Laban Brass Ensembles |
Head of Brass,
Richard Henry, directs a programme of music for
10-piece brass ensemble, including a
new Trinity Laban student composer commission.
We look forward to welcoming you to St Alfege Church soon.