Lunchtime Concert: Max Pemberton, piano

Chichester Cathedral's popular lunchtime concerts take place on Tuesdays at 1.10pm during term time, in the spectacular setting of the Cathedral Nave. They are free and last approximately 50 minutes. There is a retiring collection.

Programme

Leopold Godowsky (1870–1938)
Étude no. 13 from Studies on Chopin's Études

Luise Adolpha Le Beau (1850–1927)
Improvisation for the left hand

Jenő Takács (1902–2005)
Toccata and Fugue for the left hand 

Robert Saxton (1953–)
Chacony for the left hand

Franz Liszt (1811–1886)
Bénédiction de Dieu dans la Solitude        


Musician Biographies

Max Pemberton is the 2023 prize winner of the Musicians’ Company Carnwath Scholarship. As a soloist, he has competed both nationally and internationally, reaching the finals of the 7th international Alkan Prize for Piano Virtuosity in Milan, the keyboard semi-finals in the Royal Overseas League competition and was one of a select few invited to partake in the prestigious Musician’s Company Prince’s Prize.

He first took up the piano at the age of 8, upon hearing a local performance of the Grieg Piano Concerto. Since then he has performed  both in the UK and internationally, such as in Austria and in Poland where he appeared on local TV. In April 2019, Max would make his concerto debut with a performance of the Grieg Piano Concerto in Guildford Cathedral, realizing his early ambition. He has since performed in Duke’s Hall, Milton Court Concert Hall, Hindhead Music Centre, Alyth Synagogue and a handful of churches in London, such as St Brides, St Olaves and St Stephen Walbrook. Recently, he gave a performance of the Rachmaninov 3rd piano concerto in Guildford.

Max has enjoyed the opportunity to play for many distinguished pianists and pedagogues, including Pascal Nemirovsky, Norma Fischer, Peter Frankl, Joan Havill, Eugene Indjic, Noriko Ogawa, Murray McLaughlan and Paul Roberts to name a few. He now studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with professors Ronan O’Hora and Katya Apekisheva. where he was a finalist in the Guildhall Romantic prize 2 years in a row.

Max studies at the Guildhall under a scholarship generously donated by the Ironmongers’ Company. 


Donations

Chichester Cathedral's Lunchtime Concert series is self-supporting, and thrives through the generosity of its audiences. While there is no charge for admission, we suggest a minimum donation of £3 per person, with Gift Aid applied if possible. Donations can be made in the retiring collection, in the Cathedral, at our Visitor’s Desk or at various donation points, using cash, card and contactless or using the button below.

click here to donate online


Can't make it this time?

Lunchtime Concerts take place every Tuesday at 1.10pm during term-time, our talented performers come from across the UK and occasionally overseas, to delight our audiences with music from Beethoven to Chopin, Elgar to Mozart and more.

Download the spring 2025 Programme