This extraordinary ‘marathon’ of piano-playing, will take place at St Barnabas Church, Pitshanger Lane, W5 1QG on Sunday May 31st (the exact anniversary of Haydn’s death 200 years ago) from 1.30 pm until 10.00 pm, with supper available at 6.00 pm.  

There will be 23 professional pianists, including many international prizewinners, and they will play 23 different sonatas in succession.  Haydn’s sonatas are wonderful, attractive music, and it will be endlessly fascinating to hear all these fine pianists.    

They have a superb Bösendorfer concert grand piano, and this will be placed in the centre of the nave, with everyone seated around, in close proximity.  It will be a wonderful treat for all lovers of fine piano-playing and/or Haydn, and one which is unlikely to be repeated in the future.

Admission is £10 for the afternoon session (1.30-6.00 pm) or evening session (7.00 – 10.00 pm), and all proceeds will go towards the St Barnabas Organ Appeal.   No tickets are required beforehand, and admission is guaranteed, so just turn up !      

This festival is just one of over 100 musical events now being held annually at two churches in North Ealing, namely St Mary’s Perivale and St Barnabas, Pitshanger Lane. The standard of music-making in both venues is very high indeed, and now rivals Central London venues, with many of the best musicians in London performing regularly.   So there is no longer any need to fight one’s way into ‘town’  to hear top-class instrumental and chamber music.      

Anyone wanting regular information on all future concerts can write to Hugh Mather at hmather@btopenworld.com and he will be delighted to include them in the email list for weekly bulletins.