Soho Theatre Walthamstow: Nobuyuki Tsujii & Philharmonia Chamber Players

Programme

To some, he is one of the world’s greatest pianists. To others, he is the musical extraordinaire who, blind from birth, has become an inspiration to many. To us, he’s simply Nobu, our Featured Artist for the 2026/27 season and close friend of the orchestra. In the intimate setting of Soho Theatre Walthamstow, Nobu joins musicians from the Philharmonia to curate a charming afternoon of chamber music with pieces close to his musical heart.

Our programme opens with Beethoven’s dramatic ‘Moonlight’ Sonata. At times eerily solemn, at others intensely passionate, it’s a stunning showpiece for the pianist remains one of Beethoven’s best-loved solo works for good reason.

Then comes Franck’s Violin Sonata with Philharmonia Concertmaster Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay. Originally dedicated as a wedding present, this warm, expressive piece unfolds as a musical marriage between the piano and violin. And if you listen carefully, you can even hear the church bells chime in the finale!

After Holst’s short and sweet Phantasy Quartet, based on four English folk songs, our musicians share the stage with Nobu once more in Brahms’s monumental Piano Quartet No. 1. A 40-minute masterclass in passionate lyricism and packed with Romantic intensity, this is chamber music at its finest.