Born in 1810, Chopin gave one of his last ever public recitals in Manchester. To mark the end of the composer’s bicentenary, we welcome Australian-born pianist Piers Lane. He is a highly gifted and dedicated musician renowned for his formidable technique. In one evening, he introduces and performs all 21 of Chopin’s wonderful Nocturnes, spanning 16 years of the composer’s short life. This musical journey reveals his astonishing development as a composer, from the natural lyricism of the early works to the sophisticated forms of his later pieces.

‘In the pair of Nocturnes, Lane demonstrated marvellous quality of tone, tremendous precision and muscle control regarding the whispering inner voices of the pianissimo passages. Contrasted phrases were brought out in a balanced and beautifully shaped way.’ www.classicalsource.com

6.30pm Pre-concert event: Piers Lane in conversation about his love of Chopin and life as a concert pianist.

Post concert CD signing. CDs will be available to purchase from The Bridgewater Hall Gift Shop.

Part of the International Concert Series

Season Sponsor: Manchester Airport