Chester church to hold free piano concert on Saturday

Jun 1 2009 Chester Chronicle

LIVE piano music can be enjoyed free at Christ Church in Gloucester Street, Newtown, Chester from 8pm on Saturday, June 6.

From Bach and Chopin to Satie and Jenkins, there will be classical and film music to suit every mood, spiced with perennial favourites such as the theme tune from the iconic gangster movie, The Godfather.

The event will also offer a rare opportunity to hear The Mars Polka, composed by James King, a 19th-century band-leader with Chester connections.

Now out of print, the sheet music for the effervescent dance tune was rediscovered by the composer's great-great-great-grandson, Bert Wilton-King, while researching his family history.

“As band-leader of the 5th Dragoon Guards, James King composed a lot of military band music along with several pieces for the piano,” says Mr Wilton-King.

He has managed to buy original editions of some of his ancestor's compositions from private sellers on the internet, and obtain photocopies of others from The British Library. Unable to play the piano himself, his aim is to revive public performances of the music.

“I'd like my great-great-great-grandfather's tunes to be played in public again so that a brand new generation can enjoy his work,” says Mr Wilton-King.

A chance encounter in Chester's central library with cellist Nick Billington placed Mr Wilton-King on the path to achieving his ambition.

Thanks to a prompt response from the city's network of musicians, within a matter of weeks The Mars Polka reached the hands of Catherine Harrison, proprietor of Chester Music Theatre and founder of Chester's Piano Salon, who was in the process of organising Saturday's concert.

A number of other pianists will also be performing at the concert, among them Catherine Harrison, herself a gifted pianist who is passionate about promoting live music.

“Our Piano Salon concert will be a relaxed and sociable event at which the audience is invited to chat, sip drinks (feel free to bring your own) and enjoy superb music in stunning surroundings,” she says.

Free tickets can be obtained on the door, or in advance from Chester Music Theatre on 01244 401145 or 07840 114297.