Sunday Concerts:
Bartholomew LaFollette & Friends + Pre-Concert Recital with Max Pemberton

“Expressive and articulate (…) his music-making was notably free, imaginative and intelligent.” – Limelight

Conway Hall’s 2026 Artist-in-Residence, Bartholomew LaFollette, brings together five of London’s finest chamber musicians to present a captivating journey through early 20th-century chamber music. Chausson’s elegant Pièce showcases the cello’s lyrical voice in this late-Romantic gem. Kabalevsky’s youthful Quartet in A minor reveals the Russian composer’s melodic gift and rhythmic vitality. After the interval, Korngold’s sumptuous Piano Quintet in E major—written when he was just 23—displays the prodigious talent that would later flourish in Hollywood, brimming with lush harmonies and passionate intensity.

Pre-Concert Recital with Max Pemberton

“This immense performance of such grand sanity transcended any consideration of how many hands were playing. You can’t miss with a piece like that although, of course, the pianist needs all the technique and virtuosity… Max is clearly some talent to produce such a performance with, as it were, one hand tied behind his back.” – Music in Portsmouth

Max Pemberton, 2023 winner of the Musicians’ Company Carnwath Scholarship, has competed nationally and internationally, reaching the finals of the 7th International Alkan Prize in Milan, the Royal Overseas League keyboard semi-finals, and was invited to the prestigious Musicians’ Company Prince’s Prize. A student at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he presents a virtuosic programme of music for the left hand alone in our first pre-concert recital of 2026.

PROGRAMME:

5.30pm: Max Pemberton

J.S. Bach/Myra Hess | Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring
Messiaen | Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant Jesus:
| No.1 Regard du Père
| No.4 Regard de la Vierge
| No.5 Regard du Fils sur le Fils
Scriabin | Piano Sonata no.7 op.64 ‘White Mass’
Scriabin | Vers la Flamme op.72

Max Pemberton • piano

6.30pm: Bartholomew LaFollette & Friends

Chausson | Pièce for cello & piano Op.39
Kabalevsky | Quartet in A minor Op.8
Korngold | Piano Quintet in E Op.15

Benjamin Marquise Gilmore • violin 
Alexandra Raiklina • violin
Jenny Lewisohn • viola
Bartholomew LaFollette • cello
Miho Kawashima • piano

Age Recommendation:

All ages. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Price:

*A £2 venue levy is applied to each ticket purchased. This levy helps to support us in covering the costs of keeping our grade II listed building running and our doors open.*

In advance: • Standard £14 • Members £12 • Student/NHS Discount £9 • Living Support £6 • Under 18’s FREE     (+ £2 venue levy)
On the door: • Standard £15 • Members £13 • Student/NHS Discount £10 • Living Support £6 • Under 18’s FREE     (+ £2 venue levy)

Access Information

This event is in the Main Hall, which is located on the ground floor. The balcony is accessible only by stairs.

All the ground-floor rooms are accessible by wheelchair. Main Hall (street access, step-free), Brockway Room (street access, step-free), Bertrand Russell Room (street access, shallow ramp), Cafe (street access, step-free). There is also an accessible toilet on the ground floor opposite the Brockway Room.