The Purcell School Pianists at Sutton House

Hackney Music Live × Stoke Newington Contemporary Music Festival 2026 runs from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May 2026, bringing a major weekend of contemporary and experimental music to venues across Stoke Newington and Hackney, including Sutton House, The Old Church, The Tower Theatre and St Mary’s. This collaboration unites Hackney Music Live’s concert platform with the adventurous spirit of Stoke Newington Contemporary Music Festival, which has been championing new music and boundary-crossing performance in the area since 2013.  

The weekend opens on Friday lunchtime at Sutton House with a remarkable feat: 18 pianists from The Purcell School performing Ligeti’s complete 18 Études — a thrilling traversal of one of the most dazzling and demanding cycles in modern piano literature.

Programme: 

Book I

I – Désordre (Disorder)
II – Cordes à vide (Open Strings)
III – Touches bloquées (Blocked Keys)
IV – Fanfares
V – Arc-en-ciel (Rainbow)
VI – Automne à Varsovie (Autumn in Warsaw)

Book II

VII – Galamb Borong
VIII – Fém (Metal)
IX – Vertige (Vertigo)
X – Der Zauberlehrling (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice)
XI – En suspens (In Suspense)
XII – Entrelacs (Interlacing)
XIII – L’escalier du diable (The Devil’s Staircase)
XIV – Coloana infinită (Infinite Column)

Book III

XV – White on White
XVI – Pour Irina (For Irina)
XVII – À bout de souffle (Out of Breath)
XVIII – Canon

This concert is part of the Stoke Newington Contemporary Music Festival. Please visit their website for further information and to purchase tickets.