Seven Tones of Love - The Schumanns, Brahms and Poetry recital on 18th September in Covent Garden, London.

I am very happy to share with you our upcoming Piano, Cello and Poetry recital, to be held at 1 pm on 18th September at The Actors’ Church, Covent Garden. The programme features award winning piano and cellist couple Asako Ogawa and Nikolay Ginov, alongside myself.

This is an original and beautiful programme, which we hope you will be able to enjoy live!

Piano, Cello and Poetry at The Actors’ Church in Covent Garden, at 1 pm, on 18th September 2026.

On September 30th, 1853, twenty year old Johannes Brahms – referral letter in hand, arrived at the Düsseldorf home of the celebrated composer and pianist couple, Robert and Clara Schumman. By the time Robert Schumann voluntarily committed himself into a sanatorium the following year, deep bonds had formed between the three parties. Letters may have been burned as requested, but their musical works stand as intimate diaries, confessing their dreams, regrets, passions and love. 

Influenced by ancient Greek philosophers, modern psychology describes seven distinct types of love. In ancient Indian and Sufi literary thinking, there are seven stages of love. Taking inspiration from this, our programme features seven pieces – four musical, and three literary. Each piece represents one or more types of love. 

Bringing the tones of love to life are the acclaimed and versatile couple, pianist Asako Ogawa, and cellist Nikolay Ginov. The renowned duo frequently perform together at leading venues and festivals internationally. Bridging the gap between speech and music, is Poet/Lyricist Chinwe D. John. The three pieces she narrates are from song cycle Within a Certain Time and Place (released on Voces8 Foundation label), which she created alongside the renowned composer Geoff Hannan. One of the many unique features of John’s dense and lyrical writing, is that her lyrics can function as poems, and vice versa, with no alteration to the text.

Click on our event poster for the programme. Please consider donating to our recital. This is an artist led event, and free concerts like these help provide an oasis of calm in our bustling lives. Thank you!