Aylesbury Lunchtime Music presents

Neil Crossland

Print version
30 October 2025

Starts: 12:45pm, Doors: 12:15pm

Duration: 1 hour (approx.)

St Mary the Virgin, Aylesbury

£7 adults on the door (<18s & carers free)

Neil Crossland piano

Programme

  • 1653-1706

    Canon in D, P. 37 (Pachelbel)

    Pachelbel’s Canon (also known as Canon in D, P 37) is an accompanied canon by the German Baroque composer Johann Pachelbel. The canon was originally scored for three violins and basso continuo and paired with a gigue, known as Canon and Gigue for 3 violins and basso continuo. Both movements are in the key of D major. The piece is constructed as a true canon at the unison in three parts, with a fourth part as a ground bass throughout. Neither the date nor the circumstances of its composition are known (suggested dates range from 1680 to 1706), and the oldest surviving manuscript copy of the piece dates from 1838 to 1842. Neil Crossland has arranged this piece for solo piano.

  • 1752-1832

    Piano Sonata in B flat major, Op. 24 No 2 (Clementi)
    i Allegro con brio ii Andante quasi allegretto iii Rondo: Assai allegro

    Muzio Clementi’s Piano Sonata in B flat major, Op. 24 No. 2, is a popular piece known for its structural clarity and charm, often featured in piano teaching. It is a three-movement work. The first movement is particularly noted for its “con brio” tempo, which lies well under the fingers and is considered enjoyable to play. The sonata, while showcasing Clementi’s virtuosic style, is also recognized for its melodic richness and motivic development, making it more than just a display of technical skill. A cadenza is marked in the score for the first movement, though Clementi did not provide one, leaving it open to performer interpretation.

  • 1797-1828

    Allegretto in C minor, D. 915 (Schubert)

    Allegretto in C minor D 915 is a short piano piece written on 26 April 1827. The immediate occasion for the composition was the departure of Schubert’s friend Ferdinand Walcher for a post in Venice; Schubert copied the piece into Walcher’s album at the latter’s farewell party. Note that the piece was composed only a month after the death of Beethoven, where Schubert had been one of the torchbearers at the funeral.

  • 1770-1827

    Sonata No 14 Op. 27 No.2 “Moonlight Sonata” (Beethoven)
    i Adagio sostenuto, ii Allegretto, iii Presto agitato

    The Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, marked Quasi una fantasia, Op. 27, No. 2, is a piano sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven, completed in 1801 and dedicated in 1802 to his pupil Countess Julie “Giulietta” Guicciardi. Although known throughout the world as the Moonlight Sonata, it was not Beethoven who named it so. The name grew popular later, likely long after Beethoven’s death.

    The piece is one of Beethoven’s most famous compositions for the piano, and was quite popular even in his own day. Beethoven wrote the Moonlight Sonata around the age of 30, after he had finished with some commissioned work; there is no evidence that he was commissioned to write this sonata.

  • 1810-1849

    Fantaisie Impromptu, Op. 66 (Chopin)

    Frédéric Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu in C♯ minor, Op. posth. 66, WN 46 is a solo piano composition. It was composed in 1834 and published posthumously in 1855 despite Chopin’s instruction that none of his unpublished manuscripts be published. The Fantaisie-Impromptu is one of Chopin’s most frequently performed and popular compositions.

  • 1810-1849

    Nocturne No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 9 (Chopin)

    The Nocturnes, Op. 9 are a set of three nocturnes for solo piano written by Frédéric Chopin between 1831 and 1832, published in 1832, and dedicated to Madame Marie Pleyel. These were Chopin’s first published set of nocturnes. No. 1 is one of the better known nocturnes, this piece has a rhythmic freedom that came to characterize Chopin’s later work.

Performers

  • Neil Crossland

    Piano

    Yorkshire pianist and composer Neil Crossland studied at the Royal College of Music, where he won major prizes in both piano and composition. Since then he has performed extensively at home and abroad. He makes regular appearances at the Aylesbury Lunchtime Music concerts

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Key information for concert goers

When

Every Thursday at 12:45pm (except August & over Christmas). Performances last around 60 minutes. Please enter quietly as there is a noon service in the Lady Chapel.

How much?

Entry is £7 per adult (card or cash), under 18s and carers are free. The price includes a programme. Donations are welcomed to subsidise the larger ensembles.

Where?

Performances are at St Mary’s Church in the heart of Aylesbury Old Town. See directions for further details.

Do I need to book?

No, just turn up. Doors open at 12:15 pm. Make sure you arrive in good time to get a seat.

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