Inside The Music - Q&A with Lewis Kingsley Peart

In September, we will be making our joyous return to Shoreditch Treehouse with a mighty secret concert double bill.

To mark the occasion, we have a new solo pianist making his debut with us - meet Lewis Kingsley Peart.

Hannah met Lewis during their studies at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, and catches up with him ahead of his two concerts with us.

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Welcome Lewis! We met whilst studying at Trinity Laban Conservatoire - it’s been a few years since then, in a nutshell, what have you been up to?

I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in 2020 and so right in the middle of the first lockdown. It was a turbulent time, but also an opportunity to take stock and really consider what I wanted to do once things returned to normal — whatever normal means!
I spent a lot of time listening to music, researching repertoire, reading about composers and slowly putting together programmes that I felt were interesting and shone a light on somewhat neglected areas of the canon. I started writing to promoters and slowly building my schedule of engagements. I’m pleased and privileged to say that I enjoy a busy life as a working musician, playing recitals, concertos and also teaching my lovely students. 

A difficult question: why did you chose to learn the piano?

I didn’t start playing the piano until the age of 13, and I hadn’t played a note in my life before this point. My first lessons were with the Head of Music at my secondary school, Mrs Waters, and she was absolutely wonderful. Music quickly became my obsession, and I practised with every spare minute I could; it took over me like a fever. It’s odd because I don’t come from a musical family, and before I discovered the piano I always said that I wanted to be a dentist! Now I spend my life dealing with a different set of teeth: ebony and ivory keys grinning back at me. 

As I progressed and became more serious (a dreadful word), I decided that I wanted to apply to Chethams School of Music in Manchester. It was rather ambitious for someone who had only been playing for just over two years, but I worked incredibly hard with Mrs Waters and was accepted to study for my A-levels. I spent three happy years at Chets, and it was there that I made some of my most valuable musical and personal connections. After Chets I went to Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance where I studied with the British pianist, Philip Fowke. Philip was and continues to be a huge influence on me. He not only taught me how to play the piano, but how to be a better human being as well. Philip also introduced me to a former student of his, Alisdair Hogarth. I started to take lessons with Alisdair during my time at Trinity, and he also continues to be an incredibly important figure in my musical life. It’s a privilege to call both Philip and Alisdair not only my teachers, but also wonderful friends.

I also have to recognise the unwavering support of my family: I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without them. I am also immensely grateful that I have never been pushed in a particular direction; I think this is crucially important. 

What is your mission with the piano?

I feel that my mission with playing the piano is one of constant self-development: there is always more work to be done, new pieces to learn and fresh ideas to uncover. For me, this is the great joy in music, and it is what makes the craft of practice and learning so enriching. Further to this, if an audience member takes the time to talk to me after a recital and explains that the music I have just played has moved them in some way or connected them to a distant memory of a loved one or special event in their life, then I know that my work is done. 

What can we expect from your September concerts with us?

I very much enjoy presenting repertoire that I feel is somewhat neglected and placing it with more well-known pieces – it can often make an interesting juxtaposition and show qualities in the works that perhaps otherwise go unnoticed. I also very much enjoy talking to my audiences, and I would consider this to be an important part of my stage craft: I love to programme music that lends itself to interesting tales and anecdotes to share.

What have you got coming up?

Well, my debut with DEBUT, of course! I’m so excited to be joining your fantastic team for these two concerts, and I know I’ll enjoy myself at least as much as the audience will… 

I’m also excited to be making my European debut with a solo recital in Lanzarote in late September. I have also commissioned a new work from the American composer, Stephen Montague, which I am busy learning and will deliver the premiere performance in 2025. Looking even further ahead I am also thrilled to be playing Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the Camden Philharmonia Orchestra in 2026 — this has always been a “bucket list” piece for me, and it’s a total joy (and serious pianistic workout!) to be learning this amazing piece. 

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Make sure to grab your tickets for our September double bill before they sell out!
Thursday 12th September at Brunel Museum
Friday 20th September at Shoreditch Treehouse