British pianist Imogen Cooper appeared at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater Wednesday, May 27, 2026. This recital featuring works by Beethoven and Schubert was rescheduled from earlier in the season. This was to be her final appearance here before her retirement from the stage. Her season will include recitals in London, Vienna, Amsterdam, and Philadelphia.
Miles Cohen, Artistic Director of The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society (PCMS), introduced her to the sold-out house, saying that, indeed, Franz Schubert’s Four Impromptus, D. 899 would open the program, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Seven Bagatelles,Op. 33 would follow, but five would be performed before intermission, and two would follow intermission. He emphasized that this was no typo. As we experienced it, we found that such an arrangement made perfect musical and dramatic sense. The evening concluded with Scubert’s Four Impromptus. D. 935.
The program was endlessly fascinating. The difference between Schubert’s early work and his close to last work was enormous. The early works were, if one may say, breezy and gay, while the last works were unsettling, and glorious. The Beethoven works were spellbinding: clearly imagined, artfully executed.
When this hypnotically transcendent evening was over, the audience rose as one to its feet to award Dame Imogen (Queen Elizabeth II awarded Imogen Cooper a DBE in her Birthday Honors in 2021) a prolonged and heartfelt standing ovation. Dame Imogen was recalled several times by the standing audience, clearly touched by the audience’s acclaim. We were rewarded by a piece by Schubert written as a farewell to a friend. As Dame Imogen explained, she hated farewells herself, so she let Schubert do it for her.
Resplendent, insightful, and revelatory as the evening was, we all who heard it will treasure the experience for our lifetimes.
The PCMS (Philadelphia Chamber Music Society) is now entertaining subscriptions for its new season. Many different varieties are available. Esteemed artists returning include Richard Goode, Jeremy Denk, and Mitsuko Uchida, among dozens of others. We were informed that Ms. Uchida’s recital next May is completely sold out, even now. So do not delay. Visit www.pcmsconcerts.org .