Mariam Batsashvili: Bach & Liszt
The widely admired pianist presents bold musical reinventions across centuries, from operatic Handel, Bellini and Gounod to Busoni’s epic Bach Chaconne.
Pianist Mariam Batsashvili is known for her affinity with Liszt, pairing natural charisma with keyboard brilliance.
Prizewinner at two major Liszt competitions, she brings a distinctively powerful perspective to the composer’s compelling musical transformations.
Her programme traces a line from Baroque exuberance to Romantic emotion. Bach’s Keyboard Concerto, adapted from Marcello’s earlier D minor Oboe Concerto, blends Italian lyricism with German craftsmanship.
Liszt’s Sarabande and Chaconne from Handel’s Almira, meanwhile, rework stately dances into a sweeping piano drama.
Operatic exuberance runs through the Grande caprice on Bellini’s La Sonnambula by Liszt’s great rival Sigismond Thalberg, while Liszt’s own glittering Waltz from Gounod’s Faust transforms irresistible dance into richly imagined keyboard textures.
Two mighty musical monuments come after the interval. Busoni’s piano version of Bach’s Chaconne unfolds on an epic scale, tracing a profoundly spiritual journey.
Liszt’s Après une lecture de Dante closes the concert with a sweeping vision inspired by The Divine Comedy, moving from turbulence to radiant resolution.
Performers
Mariam Batsashvili piano
Repertoire
Bach: Keyboard Concerto in D minor, BWV.974 (transc. from A. Marcello Oboe Concerto in D minor)
Liszt: Sarabande and Chaconne from Handel's Almira arr. for piano, S.181
Thalberg: Grand caprice on motifs from Bellini's La Sonnambula, Op.46
Liszt: Valse from Gounod's Faust transc. for piano, S.407
Interval
Bach: Chaconne from Partita No.2 in D minor, BWV.1004 arr. Busoni for piano
Liszt: Après une lecture de Dante - Fantasia quasi sonata from Années de pèlerinage
Need to know
Reviews
‘The Georgian-born pianist leaves nothing to be desired in the generous warmth of her interpretations’Gramophone
‘Muscular but polished pianism… serious poise leavened by flashes of whirlwind exuberance and even madcap humour’The Arts Desk
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
26 Sep 2026, 6pm
Run time
1 hour and 50 minutes (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
from £18 + £4 booking fee
Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.
Concessions
Learn more about concession discounts
Refunds and exchanges
Find out more about our refund and exchange policy
Multi-buy Autumn/Winter 26/27 discount
3 – 4 events: 10% discount
5 – 7 events: 15% discount
8 – 10 events: 20% discount
11 – 14 events: 25% discount
15+ events: 30% discount
Discounts apply to selected events, September 2026 – January 2027 inclusive. Offer can’t be combined with the Spring/Summer 2026 multi-buy.
Become a Member
Members get free entry to the Hayward Gallery and the first chance to book our entire programme of events, including go-down-in-history gigs, concerts with world-class orchestras, and talks from cultural icons and political giants.
Join today from £60
For your visit
This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is home to both our second-largest auditorium and the Purcell Room.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.