Bramley Music Rising Stars’ Fundraising Concert, Saturday, January 27

Published on: 2 Jan, 2024
Updated on: 2 Jan, 2024

Bramley’s Holy Trinity Church is hosing a fundraising concert on Saturday, January 27, at 7pm, featuring “rising star” musician Paul Mnatsakanov.

The organisers say Paul is a “brilliant young pianist” who has won several international competitions and recently performed at the Wigmore Hall.

Acclaimed young pianist Paul Mnatsakanov.

He will play Mozart’s Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331 (which ends with the famous rondo Alla turca); Beethoven’s Sonata No. 13 in E flat major, Op. 27 No. 1; and Mussorgsky’s evocative Pictures At An Exhibition.

Paul’s programme will put the church’s Steinway Model B grand piano through its paces. And in readiness, the piano is being fully serviced by Marcin Brzozka, who prepares pianos for many of the world’s leading recitalists and concert venues.

The church launched its concert series in 2012, which, 63 concerts later, is still going strong.

These concerts support charities both local and international, ranging from Cranleigh Riding for the Disabled to the Red Cross Afghanistan appeal. To date, more than £62,000 has been raised.

The catalyst was the acquisition of its superb grand piano. It was bought new in 1970 by T Andrews & Co of Farncombe, who hired it out to concert halls around Surrey for the next 30 years.

One of Britain’s pre-eminent concert pianists, John Lill, gave many recitals in the Guildford area, and was so struck with the quality of the instrument that Mr Donn, of T Andrews, used to call it “the John Lill piano”.

John Lill playing the Steinway Model B grand piano at Holy Trinity Church, Bramley, in 2015.

John Lill was reunited with “his” piano in 2015, when he gave a stunning recital to a church full to capacity.

Tickets for Paul Mnatsakanov’s recital are £10 (£5 for students and under 18s). There is also a free glass of wine, and at the end audience members are invited to give a voluntary donation to the charity or charities being supported.

On this occasion half will go to the Royal College of Music’s Hardship Fund, and half to Holy Trinity’s music fund, earmarked for the servicing and upkeep of the Steinway.

Tickets are available in person from Robertsons in Bramley High Street, or from Stuart White via email to bramleymusic2012@gmail.com or phone 01483 892645.