Ludlow Piano Festival 2026 - full line-up announced.

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Ludlow Piano Festival, curated by Alistair McGowan, has announced its full programme with a mix of classical and jazz performances taking place at various venues around the town. Details attached.

We have received the following information;

Ludlow Piano Festival 2026 launch
We are delighted to announce the full programme for Ludlow Piano Festival 2026. Alistair’s introduction and ticketing information (with details of discounts) appears below, and you can then click through to our new website for complete event details, programmes and tickets.

UPDATE 26th JANUARY - 09:00
All events have been on sale for 24 hours. 
An incredible 25% of tickets have been sold already. 
Two events are already over 50% sold.
We have delivered almost £1000 of discounts through the LPF3-10 scheme (see below). 
We will increase the quota of discounted tickets available but some events will now inevitably withdrawn from the scheme in the next week. 
The earlier you purchase, the more choice you will have!

Alistair McGowan
LPF Chairman and Artistic Director
“This May, we will be bringing you some old friends, lots of big names and five days of non-stop, fabulous pianism!
Cally Beaton is back to host our legendary ‘Celebrity Concert’, we have Reverend Richard Coles telling Alistair McGowan his ‘Desert Island Piano’ choices (which will be played ‘live’ on stage by Anthony Hewitt), comedy from Rainer Hersch (last seen here as Victor Borge) with “Wagner’s Ring Cycle for People Who Can’t be Bothered to Sit Through It”, we have mellow jazz, another fascinating masterclass, solo recitals from exciting, young talent like self-styled ‘Working Class-ical Hero’ (and boxer) Ellis Arey (playing Scriabin, Mompou et al), local YouTube sensation, Luke Faulkner (with ‘By Special Arrangement’) and the 15-year old future Superstar, Elisey Mysin (giving two different concerts); Clara Rodriguez plays it ‘The South American Way’, Anne Lovett returns with her own compositions on two pianos (with audio-visual back-up), Ludlow’s own Liam Dunachie plays songs from the West End’s favourite musicals, and hot from the world’s biggest platforms: Danny Driver (playing Medtner et al), Peter Donohoe (playing Mozart et al) France’s leading pianist Vanessa Wagner (playing all the Études of Philip Glass for the first time on British soil) and Isata Kanneh-Mason (playing Beethoven and Ravel).
As Wolf Hall composer, Debbie Wiseman, said of us last year: “It’s a very special festival.” We think she’s right!”

Ticketing Information
Ticket sales for all events now open
Tickets for all events are sold on our behalf by Ludlow Assembly Rooms. Please note that some events take place at other venues, so do check the location carefully before you attend.
Tickets are issued electronically as QR codes, and are also available as Apple/Google Wallet tickets.
If you prefer, you can buy tickets in person or by phone via Ludlow Assembly Rooms on 01584 878141, during their normal opening hours.
Tickets are non-refundable, unless there is a waiting list for a sold-out event, in which case a full refund will be offered.

LPF 3-10
We are pleased to offer the LPF 3-10 discount again for a limited period. The earlier you book, the more choice you’ll have – and the more events you attend, the more you’ll save.
Buy adult tickets for three or more different eligible events in a single transaction and you will receive a 10% discount.
The LPF 3-10 Offer will close at our discretion, and some events may be withdrawn from the offer earlier than others depending on sales.
The offer applies to adult tickets only, and is not available on tickets for The Celebrity Concert or the Masterclass.
The discount does not apply to the £1 booking fee per ticket. For example, a £20 ticket will receive a £1.90 discount.

EVENTS:

From;
https://ludlowpianofestival.com/lpf-2026/

Wednesday 20th May 2026
St Laurences Parish Church
20 MAY 2026
The Celebrity Concert
St Laurence’s Church
7.00pm
Our ever-popular curtain-raiser is back with some new names and some old friends. Super Cally Beaton will host in her engaging, lively and cheeky way and interview and introduce players* such as: Rachel Parris, Rainer Hersch, Rev Rich Coles, and Colin Sell (I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue).
*Subject to change.

21 MAY 2026
Rainer Hersch:
Wagner’s Ring Cycle in One Hour
Ludlow Assembly Rooms
2.00pm
“Wagner’s Ring Cycle for people who can’t be bothered to sit through it.” After bringing us his hit comedy shows ‘Rainer Hersch’s Victor Borge’ and ‘All Classical Music Explained’ Rainer returns promising to get through Wagner’s 15-hour epic in under 60 minutes.

21 MAY 2026
Ellis Arey:
Working Class-ical Hero
Palmers Hall
4.30pm
Ellis Arey is a DECCA-signed British pianist whose performances have been featured on Channel 4, the BBC, and Sky Arts, where a short documentary was recently dedicated to his work. A two-time winner of the Leeds Besbrode Piano Competition, he has established himself as one of the most compelling young voices on the UK classical scene.

21 MAY 2026
Isata Kanneh-Mason
St Laurence’s Church
7.30pm
One of the most sought-after young British pianists comes to Ludlow with a programme full of variety. A very hot ticket!

22 MAY 2026
Richard Coles:
Desert Island Piano
Ludlow Assembly Rooms
10.30am
Richard Coles has done practically everything from losing on Strictly to almost winning in the Jungle to having number one singles, hosting Radio 4 shows, Have I Got News For You as well as writing hugely successful novels.

22 MAY 2026
Liam Dunachie:
Music From The Musicals
Ludlow Assembly Rooms
2.30pm
The first of two ‘Local to Ludlow’ events. Ludlow-born Liam returns from London’s West End to play music from the West End’s greatest musicals.

22 MAY 2026
Clara Rodriguez:
The South American Way
Palmers Hall
4.30pm
London-based and Venezuelan-born pianist Clara Rodriguez – acclaimed by BBC Radio 3 as “the Queen of Latin American Classical Music” – has captivated audiences worldwide with her artistry.

22 MAY 2026
Danny Driver
St Laurence’s Church
7.30pm
One of the country’s busiest pianists, Danny is a regular on Radio 3, at the prestigious Wigmore Hall in London and is known and respected for his very different and exciting programming.

23 MAY 2026
Luke Faulkner:
By Special Arrangement
Ludlow Assembly Rooms
11.00am
Local to Ludlow, pianist, composer and YouTube sensation, Luke Faulkner, plays arrangements of well-known symphonies, ballets, and operatic arias.

23 MAY 2026
Anne Lovett:
I, Just Lovett!
Ludlow Assembly Rooms
2.30pm
After enchanting us with film music and her classical choices (as well as her high heels and wild hair) in our first two festivals, French-born but London-based Anne returns with an hour of her own music from her latest album.

23 MAY 2026
Elisey Mysin:
The Concert
Palmers Hall
4.30pm
Fifteen years old. Diminutive. Extraordinary. Elisey Mysin is the very definition of a child prodigy. He has already worked as a soloist with many leading orchestras including the Greek National Radio and Television Orchestra, and The Russian National Symphony Orchestra.

23 MAY 2026
Peter Donohoe
St Laurence’s Church
7.30pm
Peter loved playing in Ludlow so much last year that he asked us if he could come back! Who are we to say ‘no’ to one of the country’s most respected soloists?

24 MAY 2026
Peter Donohoe:
Masterclass
Ludlow Assembly Rooms
11.00am
A chance to hear two promising students being given expert tuition from a master of the craft. Feel the experience, see the learning, hear the difference.

24 MAY 2026
Elisey Mysin:
The Encore
Palmers Hall
2.30pm
A second chance to marvel at the young mastery of the extraordinary Elisey Mysin. This time he brings us music by his countrymen: Rachmaninov, Stravinsky and Prokofiev. Prepare to be amazed!

24 MAY 2026
Martin Pyne Trio:
Small Blue
Ludlow Assembly Rooms
4.00pm
After accompanying our silent films for the last two years, this time Martin returns with his jazz trio playing their own smooth and mellow compositions from their last album. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon between the classics.

24 MAY 2026
Vanessa Wagner
St Laurence’s Church
6.30pm
Vanessa has been selling out France’s biggest arenas and today she makes a rare appearance on these shores.
Tonight, she plays (in full) one of the great contemporary landmarks – the twenty piano Etudes of Philip Glass, revealing its full emotional depth. For the listener, it’s a captivating journey where each piece unfolds into the next and Vanessa Wagner gradually and uniquely places these works among the great musical cycles.
A UK Premiere – in Ludlow!