Stephen Burgess

Stephen Burgess will present a selection of shorter pieces by two of the greatest pianist-composers: Rachmaninov and Brahms. The pieces all date from around the turn of the twentieth century, but span a range of moods and forms.

The late piano works of Brahms are introspective and many have a deceptive simplicity. By contrast, Rachmaninov's preludes display the intensity and emotional directness characteristic of his larger-scale music.

The sample presented here includes the famous C sharp minor and G sharp minor preludes as well as the composer's own favourite, the grand but sombre B minor.

There will be a retiring collection for the work of West London Mission.