Locally-born concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smith returns to Ely Cathedral for the biggest and most varied Ely Valentine’s concert yet next weekend.
He will perform solo show-stoppers by Liszt, Debussy, Rachmaninov, Chopin and Gershwin and he is joined by strings in Mozart’s exquisite Piano Concerto in A major K414.
International soprano Susan Parkes will sing heart-stopping arias and the programme concludes with two passionate tangos.
This year marks the ninth consecutive year that Warren, born in Earith, has given a recital at Ely Cathedral to mark Valentine’s Day.
Reviewing last year’s concert, Rosemary Westwell said: “A debonair pianist, candle light and champagne: what more could one ask? The Valentine’s Champagne Concert given by Warren Mailley-Smith in Ely Cathedral lived up to its expectations. With astounding dexterity, this sensational pianist wowed the audience with music
that pulled at the heart strings. As candles flickered around him in the octagon, he performed astounding feats on the grand piano that kept the listeners spellbound.”
As well as works for solo piano, the concert will also feature guest appearance by International Soprano Susan Parkes in a selection of popular arias by Puccini and Delibes and Rising Stars the Veles Strings, recent award-winning graduates from the Royal College of Music, will accompany Warren in a performance of Mozart’s sparkling Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major K414.
Warren had his first piano lessons in Earith as a small boy of four. He visited Ely Cathedral with his parents as a youngster and his ambition was born then to perform here. 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.
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 has 30 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 his recordings are featured regularly on Classic FM and the BBC. He is currently recording the complete works of Chopin over a 3-year period for a 12-disc set for Sleeveless Records.
The evening of romantic classical music for valentines of all ages takes place on Saturday February 10 from 7.30-9.30pm – you can even toast your beloved with a glass of bubbly during the interval.
Tickets, £25 (including a glass of bubbly during the interval), are available from Ely Cathedral box office by calling 01353 660349 or email box.office@elycathedral.org or visit www.elycathedral.org/events/sparkling-valentines-concert-by-candlelight
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