EXCELLENT REVIEWS FOR ‘NATURAL CONNECTION’

Leon has received some excellent reviews for his latest CD ‘Natural Connection’ on SOMM Recordings:

‘This scintillatingly varied recital combines sensuous virtuosity, compelling charm and musical probity. Highly recommended.’ Gramophone

‘a recital of enormous pictorial charm’ Pianist Magazine

‘The fluidity and freedom of his playing benefits from excellent sound’ Diapason

‘The main element that unites this series of 21 small piano pieces by ten composers is that they are all miniature paintings with its emphasis on clever and attractive programming. McCawley is a sensitive interpreter.’  BBC Music Magazine

‘The pieces were clearly chosen for their individual charms but also their complementary attributes and stylistic connections. The result is an uplifting, joyful celebration of the wonders of the natural world, exquisitely performed by Leon McCawley.’ Interlude 

Read them all in full HERE 

‘ELEGANCE AND VIRTUOSITY’ IN MEXICO

Leon has returned from a highly successful recital tour in Mexico making his debuts at the En Blanco y Negro Festival in Mexico City, the Festival Internacional de Piano Sala Beethoven in Monterrey and Festival Internacional de Piano in Torreón. Monterrey’s El Norte praised the ‘elegance and virtuosity’ of his pianism together with his ‘deeply emotional interpretation’ drawing ‘bravos from the public’. ‘The audience gave him a standing ovation’.

BACK IN THE RECORDING STUDIO

Leon was recently back in the studio at Menuhin Hall recording a compilation disc for SOMM Recordings of piano music inspired by the natural world including works by composers such as Bartók, Debussy, Grieg, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Ravel and Tchaikovsky. The disc is due to be released in January 2024 so watch this space!

‘A PIANIST WHO FINDS THE HUMANITY IN THE MUSIC AND EMBODIES IT’

Leon performed recently at the Fanny Davies International Piano Series at St James Guernsey and received a fine review in the Guernsey Press:

‘Until I heard Leon McCawley play, I’d never have considered so dry a virtue as ‘respect’ to feature in my reasons for my being so utterly captivated by a musician’s performance. But mulling it over with fellow audience members, it became clear that this was the overriding quality that linked his extraordinarily varied but always enthralling approach to such diverse composers as Haydn and Brahms. His credentials and interpretation together demonstrate a unique talent. But respect? I believe it is in the way he honours the deepest truths in every composer he undertakes to play and manages to communicate that to an audience so that they, in an instant, can understand and share his reverence. This is a pianist who finds the humanity in the music, and embodies it. 

He was greeted with deafening applause and a standing ovation reflecting, I believe, his intuitive connection with aficionados and first-timers alike. Having led us into fierce and wonderful terrain, the master guided us safely back home. We were drained; he looked ready to do it all over again. It felt unrepeatable. It was certainly unforgettable’. Julia Meredith

 

‘MAGNIFICENTLY JUDGED PERFORMANCE’ IN SINGAPORE

Leon has received a very impressive review from the The Straits Times for his recent solo recital performance for Singapore International Piano Festival at Victoria Concert Hall on June 12th:
“British pianist Leon McCawley’s recital returned to the classical world of Vienna, represented by Haydn’s masterly Variations in F minor and Mozart’s rarely heard Sonata in F major (K533/494), brought out with gravitas that was both touching and moving. In the fast movements of the Mozart, clarity and illumination were the rule, and the music could not have been more tastefully rendered. Then there was Schubert’s final Sonata in B flat major (D. 960) where McCawley’s sense of proportion and architecture was peerless. Playing the exposition repeat of its first movement ensured that its warmth and lyricism were doubly enjoyed. An overwhelming sense of mortality possessed the haunting slow movement. This, balanced by the apparent gaiety of the last two movements, gave this magnificently judged performance a human perspective that has become all too rare”.

NEW RELEASE!

Leon’s fourth volume of Haydn Piano Sonatas has recently been released on SOMM Recordings and has already been lauded as “one of McCawley’s finest discs to date” by International Piano Magazine. See the whole review HERE.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE AT WIGMORE HALL FOR 21/22 SEASON

Leon will be one of Wigmore Hall’s Artists in Residence during the 2021/22 season. He begins his series of four concerts performing late works by Haydn, Mozart and Schubert on 30th September and further recitals will take place on 1st December 2021, 9th March 2022 and 29th June 2022.

 

LIVESTREAM RECITAL ON MARCH 19TH AT WIGMORE HALL

Leon is so pleased to be giving another livestream recital at Wigmore Hall on March 19th, performing works by Schubert, Grieg and Schumann. This will be available to watch on all of Wigmore Hall’s social media platforms for 90 days. Click HERE to watch the full performance.