John Lenehan was soloist in a performance in the Evian "Musical Interludes" Festival with Sinfonia Varsovia (Mozart concerto no. 21 K. 467 and Shostakovich piano concerto no. 1) conducted by Jeremy Silver. The concert was dedicated to the memory of Rostropovich - a past president of the festival.

A performance in Sonderborg with Julian Lloyd Webber (the first recital in the splendid new Alsion concert Hall) playing Debussy and Rachmaninoff Sonatas. The event was recorded by Danish Radio.

"John Ireland's Piano Music volume 3" was recorded for Naxos. This completes the series of the English composer's complete published piano music. The main work is the wonderful Piano Sonata in E Minor and the disc also includes two of his best known pieces "The Holy Boy" and "Amberley Wild Brooks".

Faber Music have commissioned John Lenehan to transform the "Concerto for Two Pianos (Three Hands)" by Malcolm Arnold into a piano concerto. The original was written for Cyril Smith and Phyllis Sellick in 1969 and first heard at the Proms that year. Although the work is one of Arnold's best concertos it has (understandably) recieved few performances in recent years. It is hoped that the new version will help to correct the situation. Faber's have also, following the success of "Improve your Aural", given the go-ahead for a sixth volume (covering grades 6-8).

John travelled to Almaty (Kazakhstan) to give two recitals with the Kazakh violinist Amir Bisengeliev. The second was recorded for TV and (as on two previous trips) is likely to be broadcast frequently! The programme included sonatas by Beethoven and Franck as well as the first performance of "Morning Song" (see August).

In his second collaboration with the pianist Maksim, John Lenehan has composed the piano parts for his new EMI disc "Electrik" released this month. Based on music by Verdi, Grieg, Bizet and many others the disc has (in the Croatian pianist's own words) "A real club vibe". John has been happy to be part of Maksim's mission to break down the boundaries between classical and pop music. Videos of two of John's tracks can be watched on Youtube.
New World Concerto
Anvil Chorus

The 60th anniversary celebrations of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne of Thailand were held throughout 2006 to great pomp and circumstance. The King is a keen jazz musician and composer and one of the many tributes organised was a recording by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of some of his music. John Lenehan arranged and orchestrated for the project and the disc "The Royal Lullaby" was made in London's Henry Wood Hall.

John Lenehan's latest release is THE QUIET ROOM - a two disc collection of "classical contemporary calm" in which he features as performer, arranger and composer. As well as his own "Morning Song" John has arranged Barber's Adagio for solo piano and works by Einaudi for string quartet. He performs music by Richard Rodney Bennett, Philip Glass and many others alongside new piano works by Gabriel Yared, Tarik O'Regan, John Harle and Craig Armstrong. Presented by CLASSIC FM in collaboration with SONY/BMG and Music Sales.

John Lenehan's recital with Julian Lloyd Webber as part of the "Delius Inspired" festival in Bradford was broadcast live by BBC Radio 3. The programme included sonatas by Debussy, Delius and Rachmaninoff.

The Newport Festival in Rhode Island USA invited John to take part for the fourth year in succession. As well as performing several major works of Schubert as soloist and chamber musician he also gave a recital with Latvian soprano Inessa Galante. All performances were recorded by WGBH Radio (Boston).

A new publication IMPROVE YOUR AURAL! is now available from Faber Music. Written with education guru Paul Harris, the five workbooks provide a fresh new approach to aural tests and include dozens of specially composed pieces and hundreds of new exercises by John Lenehan on the accompanying CDs. To find out more about the series click here.

Julian Lloyd Webber's new EMI disc "UNEXPECTED SONGS" reflects a wide range of music from classical to traditional folk and from film to show music. John Lenehan features as pianist and also arranged several works including the album's title track by Lloyd Webber's brother Andrew, which features a guest appearance by Michael Ball.

LITTLE GEMS is a new collection of pieces by John Lenehan for flute and piano (grade 1-2 standard) inspired by gemstones. This new Schotts publication also includes a CD with piano accompaniments and is lavishly produced with notes in four languages. To find out more about the book click here.

March's highlight was a concert with Israeli violist Rivka Golani at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. A huge programme was framed by V. Beresovsky's wonderful transcriptions of music from Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" and also included sonatas by Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff. CBC Radio recorded the event which will also be aired throughout the US.