IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
The London Piano Festival and Kings Place present the 2026 festival programme, featuring solo recitals, talks, masterclasses and more
Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva (c) Viktor Erik Emanuel
Katya Apekisheva | Martin James Bartlett | Madeleine Brown | Keelan Carew | Junyan Chen | Peter Donohoe | Bill Laurance | Gülsin Onay | Charles Owen | Tom Poster
29 October – 1 November | Kings Place, London | #LondonPianoFestival
- Artistic Directors Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen perform Sir George Benjamin’s Divisions, following a Q&A with the composer himself
- A Mozart Piano Gala featuring Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva with Junyan Chen, Martin James Bartlett and Tom Poster
- Solo recitals from Junyan Chen, Peter Donohoe and Gülsin Onay
- A masterclass with distinguished pianist Kathryn Stott, as well as two in-conversation events
- A solo jazz recital from Bill Laurance, founding member of Snarky Puppy
- Family concerts with Keelan Carew and Madeleine Brown
Today [28 May], pianists and co-Artistic Directors Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen reveal a dynamic programme of recitals, masterclasses and talks for the 11th edition of the London Piano Festival at Kings Place. Four days of classical and jazz piano performances will include an in-conversation event withSir George Benjamin, a Mozart Gala, a masterclass with acclaimed pianist Kathryn Stott and a solo jazz set from Bill Laurance. Alongside performances by Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva and returning artists Keelan Carew and Bill Laurance, this year’s line-up sees Martin James Bartlett, Madeleine Brown, Junyan Chen, Peter Donohoe, Gülsin Onay and Tom Poster making their Festival debuts.
Under 30s tickets are available for all concerts at a reduced price of £10.
Co-Artistic Directors Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen commented: “We are delighted to announce a fantastic lineup of exceptional performers for the eleventh edition of the London Piano Festival. The LPF enters its second decade by continuing to present pianists from across the generations, as both soloists and in collaboration. Over four festival days, the musicians will offer an inspirational range of piano music encompassing classics, contemporary and jazz. Onstage interviews, a family show and masterclass will add insightful extra dimensions to the music-making. We look forward to welcoming audiences to the stunning, vibrant spaces at Kings Place.”
Sam McShane, Artistic Director of Kings Place, commented: “Now in its 11th year, the London Piano Festival at Kings Place presents a dynamic programme celebrating the piano’s versatility across classical and jazz. Bringing together leading artists and emerging voices, the Festival offers performances, conversations and masterclasses that encourage curiosity, collaboration and discovery, and deepen the connection between performers, music and audiences.”
The 2026 edition of the London Piano Festival opens with a conversation between BBC Radio 3 presenter Donald McLeod and composer Sir George Benjamin, exploring Benjamin’s formative relationship with his teacher Olivier Messiaen. This is followed by Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva performing George Benjamin’s Two or Four and Divisions for piano four hands, alongside Messiaen’s Visions de l’Amenfor two pianos [29 October].
The following night, master pianist Peter Donohoe makes his London Piano Festival debut in a solo recital bringing together works by Schubert (Moments Musicaux, Sonata in C minor), Chopin (Preludes Op. 28) and Rachmaninov (Variations on a Theme of Chopin). The concert will conclude with a talk hosted by pianist Kathryn Stott, who received the King’s Medal for Music in 2025, delving further into Donohoe’s programme and interpretation [30 October].
The Festival continues with a Halloween-themed family event featuring music for two pianos performed by BBC Radio 3 presenter Keelan Carew and rising star Madeleine Brown. The programme will include spooky favourites such as Saint Saëns’ Danse Macabre and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition [31 October].
Acclaimed Turkish pianist Gülsin Onay makes her Festival debut with a solo recital of works by Frédéric Chopin, including the composer’s Variations brillantes Op. 12, Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise brillante, Ballade No. 3, Nocturne in F sharp minor Op. 48 No. 2, and Sonata in B minor Op. 58 [31 October].
One of the Festival’s most popular events each year is the Piano Gala, and in the 2026 edition this takes the form of a house concert, dedicated entirely to music by Mozart. This intimate recital will be a unique chance to experience some of the world’s leading pianists sharing the stage in repertoire written for four hands and two pianos. Joining Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva will be Junyan Chen, Martin James Bartlett and Tom Poster [31 October].
The following morning, Junyan Chen – who is rapidly building an international career after winning second price at the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition – presents a solo recital. The programme includes Rachmaninov’s Études Tableaux, Chick Corea’s Children’s Songs and Brahms’ Piano Sonata No. 2 [1 November].
That afternoon, Kathryn Stott returns to lead a special masterclass, focusing on technique and musical interpretation, and drawing from her long career on the international concert stage. Later on, she joins Ulrich Gerhartz – Director of Concert & Artist Services at Steinway & Sons, and one of the most influential piano technicians working today – for an in-conversation event exploring the relationship between pianist and instrument, and the particular shape of a concert grand [1 November].
The London Piano Festival has always celebrated jazz piano, and this year’s festival closes with a solo set from pianist and composer Bill Laurance. Best known as a founding member of multi-Grammy Award-winning band Snarky Puppy, this closing concert demonstrates Laurence’s proficiency across jazz, classical and contemporary music genres [1 November].
The London Piano Festival was founded by pianists Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen in 2016 and takes place every October at Kings Place, London. Previous visiting artists have included Alfred Brendel, Alexandra Dariescu, Ingrid Fliter, Julian Joseph, Gabriela Montero, Stephen Kovacevich, Jason Rebello, Vadym Kholodenko, Leszek Możdżer, Lara Melda, Mishka Rushdie Momen, Reinis Zariņš and Kathryn Stott, amongst many others. The Festival has also commissioned several new works for two pianos, working with composers including Sally Beamish, Jonathan Dove, Elena Langer and Nico Muhly.
Full programme
Thursday 29 October | Kings Place, Hall One | 7.30pm
Opening Night: Divisions & Visions – George Benjamin & Olivier Messiaen
Charles Owen Piano
Katya Apekisheva Piano
Sir George Benjamin Composer
Donald McLeod Presenter
George Benjamin Two or Four
George Benjamin Divisions
Messiaen Visions de l’Amen
Friday 30 October | Kings Place, Hall One | 7.00pm
An evening with Peter Donohoe
Peter Donohoe Piano
Kathryn Stott Presenter
Schubert Moments Musicaux, D. 780
Schubert Piano Sonata in C Minor, D. 958
Chopin Preludes, Op.28 (selection)
Rachmaninov Variations on a theme of Chopin, Op.22
Saturday 31 October | Kings Place, Hall Two | 10.15am, 11.30am
Halloween Piano Party
Keelan Carew Piano
Madeleine Brown Piano
Saturday 31 October | Kings Place, Hall One | 3.00pm
Gülsin Onay Performs Chopin
Gülsin Onay Piano
Chopin Variations brillantes on rondo from Halevy’s ‘Ludovic’ in B-Flat Major, Op. 12
Chopin Ballade No.3 in A-Flat major, Op. 47
Chopin Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante in E-Flat major, Op.22
Chopin Nocturne in F-Sharp minor, Op. 48 No.2
Chopin PianoSonata No. 3 in in B minor, Op. 58
Saturday 31 October | Kings Place, Hall One | 7.30pm
A Mozart Piano Gala
Charles Owen Piano
Katya Apekisheva Piano
Junyan Chen Piano
Martin James Bartlett Piano
Tom Poster Piano
Mozart Adagio and Fugue, K. 426
Mozart Sonata for Piano Four Hands in D Major, K. 381
Mozart Adagio and Allegro in F minor for a mechanical organ, K. 594
Mozart Sonata for Piano Four Hands in C Major, K. 521
Mozart Sonata for Piano Four Hands in B-flat Major, K. 358
Mozart Andante and variations in G Major, K. 501
Mozart Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448
Sunday 1 November | Kings Place, Hall One | 12.00
Junyan Chen in Recital
Junyan Chen Piano
Rachmaninov Études-Tableaux, Op. 33
Chick Corea Children’s Songs (selection)
Brahms Piano Sonata No. 2 in F-Sharp minor, Op. 2
Sunday 1 November | Kings Place. Hall Two | 2.00pm
Masterclass with Kathryn Stott
Kathryn Stott Presenter
Sunday 1 November | Kings Place, Hall Two | 4.30pm
Inside Steinway with Ulrich Gerhartz and Kathryn Stott
Ulrich Gerhartz Presenter
Kathryn Stott Presenter
Sunday 1 November | Kings Place, Hall One | 7.30pm
Closing Concert: Bill Laurance Live
Bill Laurance Piano
www.londonpianofestival.com | www.kingsplace.co.uk | Kings Place, 90 York Way, King’s Cross, London, N1 9AG
What a wonderfully varied programme this year. Along with favourite works by Chopin and Mozart, we’ll be treated to a Halloween piano party, a jazz concert, and discussions with a legendary piano tuner. Well done to the organisers for offering such diversity. Piano students taking piano lessons at the Sokol Piano Academy will be sure to attend.