Concert by Candlelight
An unforgettable evening awaits at Wathen Hall: Borodin’s brilliance, Beethoven’s youthful concerto with pianist Zev Sebastian, and Tchaikovsky’s soaring Symphony No. 5 — all by candlelight.
Saturday 15th November 2025 · 7:00pm
Wathen Hall, Lonsdale Road, London SW13 9JT
Borodin · Prince Igor Overture
Beethoven · Piano Concerto No. 1
Soloist: Zev Sebastian
Tchaikovsky · Symphony No. 5
Join us for an evening of exceptional music at Wathen Hall. The programme opens with Borodin’s Prince Igor Overture, a work brimming with drama and colour. Pianist Zev Sebastian then performs Beethoven’s spirited Piano Concerto No. 1, before the concert concludes with Tchaikovsky’s monumental Symphony No. 5.
This concert by candlelight promises a memorable experience of timeless masterpieces performed in an evocative setting.
Borodin: Prince Igor – Overture
Though left unfinished at the time of his death in 1887, Alexander Borodin’s Prince Igor remains one of the great treasures of Russian opera. The overture, completed by Borodin’s friends Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov, is a vibrant introduction to the world of the opera—full of sweeping melodies, lively rhythms, and a distinctly Russian colour.
From the noble themes associated with the heroic Prince Igor to the folk-infused dances that capture the spirit of Borodin’s homeland, the overture blends grandeur with lyricism. Its energy, warmth, and brilliance set the stage perfectly for an evening of Romantic masterpieces.
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15
Although published as his first concerto, Beethoven’s C major Concerto was written after the youthful B-flat Concerto (later numbered No. 2) and already shows the composer’s bold individuality. Premiered in Vienna in 1800, it brims with vitality, wit, and a sense of grandeur that reflects Beethoven’s growing reputation as both pianist and composer.
The opening movement sparkles with elegance and drive, giving the soloist ample opportunity for dazzling virtuosity. By contrast, the slow movement offers an intimate, lyrical dialogue between piano and orchestra. The concerto concludes with a playful rondo, full of surprises and rhythmic energy, leaving audiences both exhilarated and charmed.
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64
Composed in 1888, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 is one of his most deeply personal and emotionally charged works. Threaded throughout the symphony is a recurring “fate” motif, a sombre theme that appears in various guises—from the dark opening measures to its final, triumphant transformation.
The second movement soars with one of Tchaikovsky’s most beloved melodies, rich with yearning and tenderness. A graceful waltz follows, tinged with elegance and charm. The finale drives forward with passion and intensity, ultimately rising to a resounding victory.
From melancholy to exultation, the Fifth Symphony captures the full sweep of human emotion, and stands as a testament to Tchaikovsky’s genius for melody and drama.
Zev Sebastian
Zev Sebastian, born 2008 in Providence, RI (USA), relocated to London in 2012. He began playing the piano at age six and gained his ATL diploma in classical piano at 12. He was a music scholar at Dame Alice Owens School and piano student at Junior Guildhall from 2019-22 and has been studying with Tessa Nicholson at the Purcell School for Young Musicians since 2022.
Zev made his solo debut at the 1901 Arts Club in London at the age of 13. At 14, he was invited by Lady Isabella and Sir Philip Naylor-Leyland to play a recital in support of United24 for Ukraine, raising a total of £13,580. He is a seasoned soloist and has given recitals at Restoration House in Rochester, Milton Hall, Brewer’s Hall and Hauptkirche Rheydt (Germany). He has performed at the Charter House, Three Rivers Music Society, Chetham’s Piano Summer School and various masterclasses, solo and chamber concerts at the Purcell School where his piano professor, Tessa Nicholson, commends him on being “full of energy, enthusiasm and musical intelligence … a real future talent.”
Beethoven’s piano concerto no 1 in C major is special to Zev, having performed it with the Purcell Sinfonia Orchestra in early 2024 as a winner of the Purcell Middle School Concerto Competition and, again last year, at his international concerto debut in Germany with Sinfonieorchester Opus 125, conducted by Javier Alvarez-Fuentes.
Zev holds a scholarship under the Government’s Music and Dance Scheme at The Purcell School and was a Future Talent Worsley and AYM Gostwick award recipient. He is further supported by Piano Restorations Ltd who rebuilt and gifted him a Steinway model o with funds raised by donors such as Pete Townshend’s Double O Charity and Sir Tim Rice.
His musical journey can be followed on Instagram @sebastianest where he has built up a loyal and prominent follower base, inspired by his dedication to practice and passionate love for the piano.