William Bracken (piano)

An afternoon of piano masterpieces by Mendelssohn, Bach, and Scriabin. Baroque brilliance to mystical passion.

The Programme:

• Bach: Aria variata alla manniera italiana BWV989
• Scriabin: sonata no. 5 op. 53

Interval: with complimentary tea coffee and cake

Fanny Mendelssohn: Easter sonata

Pianist William Bracken’s creative voice stems from a deep fluency with the language of music itself, dissolving musical boundaries through an improvisational state of mind, curiosity, and acute contextual awareness. A visionary musician with a vast repertoire of classical masterworks, contemporary works, and equally at home in jazz and improvised music, the Wirral-born pianist has won numerous awards, including 1st prize at the 2022 Liszt Society International Piano Competition, 1st prize, press prize, and audience prize at the 2023 Euregio Piano Award international piano competition, 2nd prize at the 2023 Livorno international piano competition, and 3rd prize at the 2024 UniSA international piano competition. He currently holds a position as a member of the teaching staff in the Centre for Creative Performance and Classical Improvisation at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and is the recent founder and artistic director of Port Sunlight International Piano Festival.

Concert highlights include concerto performances at The Barbican, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, St. John’s Smith Square, and recitals at Carnegie’s Weill Hall in New York, Chipping Campden Festival, LSO St. Luke’s, and Wigmore Hall, where he was praised by the Telegraph for his “courage and stamina and musicality in abundance” and “an ability to hold an audience in the palm of his hand”. He is also active as a core member of the improvisation group Ensemble+ and bandleader of the Will Bracken trio.

Concert highlights include concerto performances at The Barbican, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, St. John’s Smith Square, and recitals at Carnegie’s Weill Hall in New York, Chipping Campden Festival, LSO St. Luke’s, and Wigmore Hall, where he was praised by the Telegraph for his “courage and stamina and musicality in abundance” and “an ability to hold an audience in the palm of his hand”. He is also active as a core member of the improvisation group Ensemble+ and bandleader of the Will Bracken trio.

• Accessibility

  Our studio is located on the first floor and has only stepped access, which we regret means there is no access for wheelchair users or those who cannot climb stairs.

• Terms & conditions

  We respectfully request that both members and non-members abide by the terms of The London Sketch Club’s rules & licensing conditions.