Pianist Ikuko Inoguchi to Perform in Iris Axon Concert Series
Programme includes Beethoven, Liszt and a world premiere by a British Composer
Ikuko Inoguchi
November 19, 2025
The Iris Axon Concert Series continues its 2025–26 season with a performance by acclaimed pianist and performer-scholar Ikuko Inoguchi on Sunday 7 December, from 4pm to 5pm at Acton Hill Church.
Known for her cross-cultural repertoire and intellectual depth, Inoguchi will present a programme that spans Beethoven to Balakirev, and includes the world premiere of Dugong by British composer Joe Cutler.
The concert is part of a long-running series that champions young professional musicians and offers accessible classical music in a community setting. Admission is £10 for adults and £5 for concessions and children, with crèche facilities available—a rare feature that makes the series especially welcoming to families.
Programme highlights
Inoguchi’s programme reflects her signature blend of tradition and innovation:
- Sonata No. 15 in D major, “Pastoral” – Ludwig van Beethoven
- The Lark – Mikhail Glinka / Mily Balakirev
- Poisson d’or from Images Book II – Claude Debussy
- Dugong (2025, World Premiere) – Joe Cutler
- Transcendental Etude No. 8 “Wilde Jagd” – Franz Liszt
- Waldszenen, Op. 82 – Robert Schumann
The inclusion of Dugong continues Inoguchi’s commitment to premiering new works. She has previously debuted pieces by composers such as Paul Chihara, William Drabkin, and Yasunoshin Morita.
Described by Der Kessener as “a brilliant pianist between worlds,” Ikuko Inoguchi is a Japanese-born, internationally recognised pianist whose work bridges performance, scholarship, and education. She has appeared across Europe, the US, and Asia, and is known for her thoughtful interpretations and advocacy for Japanese composers.
She has presented lecture-recitals at institutions including the BBC’s Total Immersion: Music from Japan, the University of York, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire. She also recently led a workshop on the Japanese aesthetic concept of ma and contributed to an ABRSM educational video on composer Yuasa Akira.
The Iris Axon Concert Series continues into 2026 with the following line-up:
- Leora Cohen (violin) & Paul Wingfield (piano) – 1 February
- Clare Deniz (cello) & Yoon Seok-Shin (piano) – 1 March
- Halcyon Quartet – 19 April (note date change)
- Kyle Hutchings (piano) – 3 May
- Trio Taliesin – 7 June
- Joanna Kacperek (piano) – 5 July
The Iris Axon Concert Series is an annual season of short (60-70 minute) monthly recitals on Sunday afternoons at the Acton Hill Church. The series was started by Music Director Jane Schopf in 2004 to provide a venue for young musicians starting on their professional careers, many of whom have subsequently enjoyed international success in competitions and on the concert platform. The series has continued to grow and now attracts established international artists as well.
Originally called the Acton Classical Music Concert Series, it was re-named in 2009 in memory of one of its most loyal supporters, Iris Axon, who made possible the purchase of a concert grand, handmade by Clive Pinkham.
The church is deemed ideal for concerts as it has the largest unsupported wooden barrel-vault ceiling in London which brings out the middle harmonics, creating a luxuriously warm sound.
Concerts are usually held on the first Sunday of the month at 4pm. Programmes at the door. There are crèche facilities available.
More information is available at classicalconcerts-acton.com.
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