Chopin’s Nocturnes by Candlelight: A Piano Recital for the Hours After Dark

Settle into the glow of candlelight for an extra special piano recital. In this intimate evening with acclaimed pianist Joseph Tong, music becomes a kind of night language: hushed, searching, and quietly electrifying.

At the heart of the programme are Chopin’s Nocturnes: miniature worlds of lyricism, tenderness and emotional depth. Joseph Tong brings rare clarity and sensitivity to these beloved works, letting their quiet radiance do the talking.

From there, the night shifts and intensifies. Expect the turbulent sweep of Grieg’s Night-Ride, the mystery of Britten’s Notturno, and a finale that blurs reality at the edges: Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit, a surreal, virtuosic masterpiece inspired by poetry and packed with shimmering colour and technical fireworks.

About the artist

One of the UK’s most versatile and imaginative pianists, Joseph Tong brings poetry, depth and clarity to every performance. Whether appearing as a soloist, chamber musician or collaborative artist, he is known for performances that are both technically refined and emotionally resonant.

Joseph made his debut at Wigmore Hall after winning the Maisie Lewis Young Artists Award. Since then, he has performed widely across the UK and internationally, with recitals at St John’s Smith Square, St George’s Bristol, Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, St David’s Hall in Cardiff, Chichester Cathedral and the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building in Oxford. His performances have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 In Tune and Classic FM.

His recordings have attracted consistent critical acclaim. Recent releases include Volume Three of Jean Sibelius’s complete solo piano works, recorded in Finland, and a five-star BBC Music Magazine-reviewed recording of Schumann’s solo piano music on the Quartz label. His discs are regularly featured in The Sunday Times, International Piano Magazine and Fanfare magazine in the USA.

Joseph is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading interpreters of Sibelius’s piano music. A regular contributor to Sibelius One, the journal of the UK Sibelius Society, he champions the composer’s lesser-known piano and chamber works. His ongoing five-volume recording project of Sibelius’s complete solo piano music has drawn international attention and praise. He has also collaborated with violinist Fenella Humphreys on a critically acclaimed recording of Sibelius’s violin and piano works.

He performs regularly in Finland, including recitals at Ainola, Sibelius’s home, where he has played the composer’s original Steinway piano. Other Finnish appearances include the Helsinki Music Centre, the Sibelius Museum in Turku, the Sibelius Birthplace Museum and Hämeenlinna Town Hall, as well as guest appearances at the annual Korpo Sibelius Festival.

Alongside established repertoire, Joseph is a committed advocate for contemporary music. He has commissioned and premiered new works by leading composers including John McCabe, David Matthews, Daniel Kidane, Dai Fujikura, Nicola LeFanu, Edwin Roxburgh, Cydonie Banting, Lara Poe and Terhi Dostal, with premieres at major UK venues and festivals including Wigmore Hall, the Purcell Room, Cheltenham Music Festival and Presteigne Festival.

Joseph studied at Wells Cathedral School, Christ’s College Cambridge and the Royal Academy of Music with Christopher Elton. He now teaches at Junior Academy (Royal Academy of Music), Wells Cathedral School and Hampton School, and is an experienced festival adjudicator.

A local resident, Joseph is delighted to return to the Landmark Arts Centre to perform on the venue’s Yamaha C7 grand piano. He previously gave a fundraising recital here in 2017 to support its acquisition.

General Admission – £21

Landmark Friends – £19