The 12th SJE Arts International Piano Series
Tuesday 3 December 2024, 7.30 pm – Pierre-Laurent Aimard
J.S. Bach The Well-tempered Clavier, book II.
Friday 6 December 2024, 7.30 pm – Mark Viner
Christmas Concert – piano music by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Liszt, Busoni and Lyapunov.
Tuesday 21 January 2025, 7.30 pm – Angela Hewitt
A celebration of the Baroque – music by J.S. Bach, Handel, Haydn and Brahms.
Saturday 1 February 2025, 7.30 pm – Alexander Gavrylyuk
Music by Mozart, Chopin, Debussy and Rachmaninov.
Thursday 13 February 2025, 7.30 pm – Danny Driver
Music by Thomas Adès, Handel, Fauré, Ligeti and R. Schumann.
Thursday 27 February 2025, 7.30 pm – Steven Osborne
Schubert in the first half and in the second, piano jazz by Meredith Monk, Keith Jarrett and others.
Friday 14 March 2025, 7.30 pm – Mariam Batsashvili
Music by Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Liszt and Brahms.
Thursday 1 May 2025, 7.30 pm – Paul Lewis
Music by Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms.
Wednesday 14 May 2025, 7.30 pm – Elisabeth Brauẞ
Music by J.S. Bach, Beethoven, R. Schumann and Prokofiev.
Closure of SJE Arts and the future of the International Piano Series
SJE Arts International Piano Series will come to an end when the programme of music at St John the Evangelist closes on 30 June. However, it will not cease to exist. St John’s College has kindly offered the use of their purpose-built auditorium along with their Steinway D concert piano, chosen by Dame Imogen Cooper. Under the new title, St John’s International Piano Series, we will be holding two concerts per term. The programme is under discussion but the date for the launch is set – Tuesday 28 October 2025 – with a performance by Scottish pianist Steven Osborne.
Sign up to be kept informed
If you would like to be kept informed about the new Series, please sign up at stjohnspianoseries.com. The current SJE Arts mailing list will close on 30 June.
Press Release issued by St John’s College:
SJE ARTS INTERNATIONAL PIANO SERIES MOVES TO ST JOHN’S COLLEGE FROM AUTUMN 2025
The prestigious SJE Arts International Piano Series will find a new home at St John’s College, Oxford from Autumn 2025 as the St John’s International Piano Series, marking an exciting new chapter for classical music in the city. This move aligns with St John’s College’s growing reputation as a dynamic hub for the arts, reinforcing its commitment to world-class musical performances alongside its established The World’s Music at Oxford series.
Founded at St John the Evangelist Church (SJE), the International Piano Series has earned a distinguished reputation for presenting some of the world’s finest pianists. The series’ transition to the intimate and acoustically rich setting of the St John’s College Auditorium will enhance its reach and impact while maintaining its tradition of excellence.
Michèle Smith, Director SJE Arts, commented:
‘The SJE International Piano Series is in its 12th year and has proved to be very popular with a strong and enthusiastic following. We are really looking forward to moving to the delightful auditorium at St John’s, with its lovely Steinway D piano, and are already making plans about whom to invite for the first St John’s series. I can confirm that Angela Hewitt has already given a date and will be performing a programme of music by J.S. Bach.’
Professor Jason Stanyek, Fellow for Performing Arts and Tutorial Fellow in Ethnomusicology, highlighted the College’s enthusiasm for the initiative:
‘We are thrilled to welcome the SJE Arts International Piano Series to St John’s. This move strengthens our vision of making the College a leading centre for exceptional musical experiences, building on the success of The World’s Music at Oxford, which celebrates diverse global traditions. The presence of internationally renowned pianists will undoubtedly inspire both students and audiences alike.’
The International Piano Series has played host to renowned artists such as Sir Stephen Hough, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Pavel Kolesnikov and Dame Imogen Cooper and its upcoming seasons promise an equally compelling roster of performers. The transition to St John’s will allow for new artistic collaborations and expanded educational opportunities, engaging the University community and the wider public alike.
This development further enriches St John’s College’s vibrant musical landscape. The World’s Music at Oxford, known for its eclectic programming of global music traditions, has already cemented the College’s reputation as a centre for cultural exchange and artistic innovation. The addition of the International Piano Series will enhance Oxford’s classical music scene, offering a broader spectrum of world-class performances within a single institution.
Further details on the Autumn 2025 season and ticketing information will be announced shortly.
17th March 2025