Lunchtime Concert: Clara Hope-Simpson, cello & Phillip Leslie, piano

Chichester Cathedral's popular lunchtime concerts take place on Tuesdays at 1.10pm during term time, in the spectacular setting of the Cathedral Nave. They are free and last approximately 50 minutes. There is a retiring collection.

Event details

Tickets
Free
Date
Tuesday 10 March 2026, 13:10
Venue
Nave
Programme

Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847)
Sonata o Fantasia in G minor

Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Silent Woods

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Sonata in E minor

 


Musician Biographies

Clara Hope Simpson Cello 
Clara Hope Simpson is an award winning cellist who has performed across multiple continents and as a soloist in venues including Wigmore Hall, Stoller Hall, and Kodak Hall. She is a recipient of the Exceptional Global Talent Visa from Arts Council England. Clara has worked with composers including Anna Thorvaldsdottir and Anna Clyne on their repertoire for solo cello. She is additionally a passionate chamber musician and former member of the Aestus Quartet. In 2025 she travelled to China to compete in the Schoenfeld International String Competition just months after breaking her neck. Further information can be found on her website: clarahopesimpson.com 

Phillip Leslie Piano 
British pianist Phillip Leslie is known for his captivating playing and sense of “culture and refinement” (Liszt Society). He is described as “a real artist” by the Keyboard Charitable Trust, and gave his Southbank Centre debut in 2019. He has performed across the UK and Europe including performances at Salle Cortot, Steinway Hall, Palau de la Musica, St John’s Smith Square, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Göteborgs Konserthus, Castellon Auditorio, Cadogan Hall, Bridgewater Hall & the Wigmore Hall. He is a prizewinner of the Anton Rubinstein, Gotesborg, Vrsac and Liszt Society Piano Competitions. He has appeared on BBC Radio and at the Endellion, English Music Festival, Hertfordshire, Concerts of the Tempietto & Perth Festival. He currently teaches piano at Trinity Laban and Kingston University.


Donations

Chichester Cathedral's Lunchtime Concert series is self-supporting, and thrives through the generosity of its audiences. While there is no charge for admission, we suggest a minimum donation of £7 per person, with Gift Aid applied if possible. Donations can be made in the retiring collection, in the Cathedral, at our Visitor’s Desk or at various donation points, using cash, card and contactless or using the button below.

click here to donate online


Can't make it this time?

Lunchtime Concerts take place every Tuesday at 1.10pm during term-time, our talented performers come from across the UK and occasionally overseas, to delight our audiences with music from Beethoven to Chopin, Elgar to Mozart and more.

Click here for Spring 2026 Programme