Music: London premiere of 'Deo Omnis Gloria'

Christopher Langdown

The London premiere of Christopher Langdown's sacred piano piece, Deo Omnis Gloria, takes place at the Wigmore Hall next Tuesday. Deo Omnis Gloria has three movements: the first, Hymn, is inspired by the Mass. The second piece, Lake of Gennesaret, is based on Luke 5:1-11. The third and final movement is Resurrection.

Born in Sutton Coldfield, Christopher Langdown has been widely acclaimed as both a soloist and chamber musician. After initial lessons with Fay Madeley and Professor Malcolm Wilson, he graduated with Distinction from the Royal College of Music in London after completing six years of study with Professor John Barstow. In recognition of his musicianship, Christopher was nominated at the RCM to perform the music of Shostakovich to the legendary exponent Tatiana Nikolaeva and was further distinguished in being twice selected by The Wall Trust as a piano scholar of "outstanding talent".

Christopher has acquired numerous awards and was finalist and prize-winner in the 1997 Brant UK Pianoforte Competition which attracted artists from around the world. He has since given recitals at major venues and festivals throughout the UK and Europe, appeared as a concerto soloist and been critically acclaimed for his collaborations with other renowned artists, including the tenor James Gilchrist and the Fitzwilliam, Martinú and Sorrel / Maggini Quartets. National radio and TV appearances have included live concert broadcasts (solo and chamber), interviews for arts programmes and two radio performances of Christopher's own piano compositions.

Christopher's engagements in the 2008/09 season have so far included recitals at home and abroad, a masterclass in Stratford-upon-Avon, a performance of Bach's Concerto for 4 Keyboards BWV 1065 at LSO St Luke's with pianists from the UK and USA, a live broadcast in Denmark and further collaborations with the Fitzwilliam String Quartet.

Alongside his concert career, Christopher is Head of Piano at The Kingsley School in Leamington Spa and has previously been a visiting teacher at the Birmingham Conservatoire Junior Department and at the Royal Academy of Music in London. In addition to giving masterclasses at home and abroad under the auspices of The British Council, he has had invitations to adjudicate at Music Festivals in Birmingham and Hong Kong.

Christopher's Wigmore Hall recital is on Tuesday, 9 June 2009 at 7.30pm. Alongside Beethoven's popular and enigmatic "Tempest" Sonata, the recital centres on music that was written around the turn of the 20th century and includes works by Moszkowski, Debussy, Bridge and Scriabin. As a personal offering, Christopher will also be presenting his own neo-romantic composition, Deo Omnis Gloria. Tickets priced £8-£15 are available from the Wigmore Hall Box Office on 020 7935 2141 or click here to book online.

For more information, see: www.christopherlangdown.com
To visit the school website see: www.thekingsleyschool.com