Winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society's 'Young Artist' Award in 2016, pianist Clare Hammond is recognised for the virtuosity and authority of her performances and has developed a “reputation for brilliantly imaginative concert programmes” (BBC Music Magazine). You might also know her as the younger version of Dame Maggie Smith's character, Miss Shepherd, in the feature film, The Lady in the Van. Clare’s recording of excerpts from Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1, with the BBC Concert Orchestra, is featured throughout the film, which was released in cinemas in the UK in November 2015.

Clare has performed in Emmanuel Church before and will return with a recital that takes us from the sombre intensity of Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre's Suite to the exuberant brilliance of Igor Stravinsky's music for his ballet, Petroushka. The serenity of Beethoven’s fourth Sonata and Fauré’s Nocturnes contrasts with the sparkling vivacity of Dutilleux’s Au gré des ondes and the intense virtuosity of Scriabin’s fifth sonata. A multi-faceted and exhilarating programme, this is not to be missed!