Cordelia Williams Returns To Manchester For Stoller Hall Residency

Twenty years after leaving Manchester, concert pianist Cordelia Williams returns for a three-day residency at The Stoller Hall, bringing with her a programme that blends performance with education and reflection.

Williams, known for her introspective interpretations of Schubert and Schumann, has built an international career performing with leading orchestras including the English Chamber Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and appearing at venues such as Wigmore Hall. Her return to Manchester, however, is shaped as much by personal history as by performance.

A Return Shaped By Early Years

Williams studied at Chetham’s School of Music between the ages of 11 and 18. The residency reflects that formative period, with the pianist describing the weekend as a “full-circle moment” grounded in the city where she came of age both personally and musically.

Alongside performances, she will work directly with current students, reinforcing the educational thread that runs throughout the programme.

A Weekend Centred On Schubert And Collaboration

The residency opens with a solo recital featuring Chopin, Janáček and Beethoven, before culminating in Schubert’s Sonata in A major (D959). The following day shifts focus to collaboration, with a coffee concert and an evening chamber performance built around Schubert’s repertoire.

Williams is joined by long-time collaborator Tamsin Waley-Cohen, alongside cellist Guy Johnston and fellow musicians Gary Pomeroy and Toby Hughes. Together, they form a chamber ensemble for works including the “Trout” Quintet, closing the weekend with one of Schubert’s most recognised compositions.

Masterclasses And Musical Exchange

Education plays a central role throughout the residency. Williams will lead piano masterclasses for both Chetham’s students and members of the public, while Waley-Cohen and Johnston will deliver sessions in violin, cello and chamber music.

Additional coaching in viola and double bass will be led by Pomeroy and Hughes, broadening access across disciplines and experience levels.

Beyond Performance

Alongside her performing career, Williams is currently engaged in an international research project exploring the intersection of music and theology. Her work considers themes such as joy, grace and self-surrender, reflecting a broader artistic direction that connects performance with philosophical inquiry.

This residency, while rooted in performance, offers a wider perspective on musicianship, combining technical excellence with reflection, mentorship and a return to origins.