Ely Cathedral Valentine Classics With Pianist Warren Mailley-Smith

If you are looking for a special valentine's moment with your loved one, then according to concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smith, it doesn't get much more romantic than a candlelight evening of beautiful music set in the heart of Ely Cathedral.

Concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smith will celebrate Valentine's Weekend in classic style, with a candlelit performance under the Octagon of Ely Cathedral that features the greatest romantic melodies of Chopin, Grieg, Debussy, Prokoviev and Gershwin.

"I've chosen a selection of pieces which reflect a range of different types of love and romance," says Warren. "The programme includes the dreamy and atmospheric 'Clair de Lune' by Debussy, the fiery 'Romeo And Juliet' by Prokofiev and the exhilarating 'Rhapsody In Blue' by Gershwin. Music always seems to come alive when it's played in front of you and my selection of pieces is designed to leave people feeling a little calmer and uplifted in equal measure."

It will be a fantastic return to Ely for Earith-born pianist, who first visited the Cathedral with his parents as a child and was so overwhelmed by the experience that he promised himself he would one day perform in the building and savour the glorious acoustics of the place. He eventually achieved this ambition and two years ago his Valentine's Day concert received rave notices: 'as candles flickered around him in the Octagon, he performed astounding feats on the grand piano that kept the listeners spellbound', wrote The Cambridgeshire Times.

This year he promises he will be offering a little of the same magic. "I will be playing a beautiful Steinway grand piano by candlelight and it will be positioned in the central Octagon once again," says Mailley-Smith. "I'll be introducing the music and explaining a little bit about the background to the pieces and during the interval audience members can help themselves to a free glass of champagne and take in the wonderful architecture of the building.

"I've often been told that there is nothing more romantic than having the piano played for you," he continues, "so Valentine's weekend seems like the perfect occasion to perform this programme for the audience in Ely."

Warren Mailley-Smith's Valentines Champagne Concert 'Rhapsody in Blue' is on Saturday February 11, 2012. Check out our What's On guide for ticket info