Search...
We offer daily services and a cultural programme of talks, events and concerts. We seek to be a welcoming space for people to reflect, create and debate
Tuesday 1 September – end of October
Losing Identity explores the silent grief and resilience of women fleeing Ethiopia and Eritrea across the Mediterranean Sea in unsafe, overcrowded boats.
The Sunday Forum is an open online group, that runs parallel to the coffee after the service, from 12.30pm to 1pm on a Sunday, open to all.
St James’s hosts inclusive services and a cultural programme. We seek to be a welcoming space for people to reflect, create and debate.
St James’s is a place to explore, reflect, pray, and support all who are in need. We are a Church of England parish in the Anglican Communion.
We host a year-round creative programme encompassing music, visual art and spoken word.
We offer hospitality to people going through homelessness and speak out on issues of injustice, especially concerning refugees, asylum, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ issues.
St James’s strives to advocate for earth justice and to develop deeper connections with nature.
We aim to be a place where you can belong. We have a unique history, and the beauty of our building is widely known. Our community commits to faith in action: social and environmental justice; creativity. and the arts
We strive to be a Eucharist-centred, diverse and inclusive Christian community promoting life in abundance, wellbeing and dignity for all.
St James’s Piccadilly has been at the heart of its community since 1684. We invite you to play your part in securing this historic place for generations to come.
It costs £5,000 each day to keep the doors of St James’s open to all who already need us.
A reimagined St James’s realised. A redesigned garden, courtyard and new building capacity—all fully accessible— will provide beautiful spaces for all as well as improving our environmental performance.
Whether shooting a blockbuster TV series or creating a unique corporate event, every hire at St James’s helps our works within the community.
St James's Church 197 Piccadilly London W1J 9LL
Directions on Google Maps
Friday 23 October 1.10pm
Qden Blaauw is a South African pianist whose artistry is marked by technical assurance, musical maturity, and a strong commitment to collaboration and creative exploration.
Online streaming
This concert will be streamed live on our YouTube channel at 1:10pm.
Support our Creative Programme
Whether £5 or any amount you’re able to give. Donations can be made in cash in the basket on your way out, or by tap donation at the machines at our exits. Your generosity helps support our cultural events and charitable services. Thank you.
Free admission | Donations welcome
Programme
Surendran Reddy: Tocatta for John Roos Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Piano Sonata No. 13 in B-flat major, K.333 I. Allegro II. Andante cantabile III. Allegretto grazioso Qden Blaauw: Opening Qden Blaauw: Portrait of keys Qden Blaauw: Citrusdal Duke Ellington: In a sentimental mood
Artist Bio
Qden Blaauw is a South African pianist whose artistry is marked by technical assurance, musical maturity, and a strong commitment to collaboration and creative exploration. Born in Cape Town, he began piano lessons at the age of nine and quickly distinguished himself through a combination of curiosity, discipline, and an instinctive musical sensibility. Although he grew up in a non-musical family, he was drawn early to classical music, initially through composition and later through performance, inspired by the expressive power and structural depth of the great composers.
Qden’s early development was guided by South African pianist and pedagogue Shane Goodall, under whose mentorship he built a strong technical and musical foundation. From a young age, he achieved notable success in national competitions, receiving numerous first prizes and special awards, including top honours in the SAMRO National Competition, the Atterbury National Piano Competition, the Western Cape Piano Festival, and the Johan Vos and Hennie Joubert Piano Competitions. These achievements were accompanied by frequent performances at prizewinners’ concerts, festivals, and recital series across South Africa.
An important milestone in his early career came at the age of twelve, when Qden was selected as one of only ten young pianists worldwide to attend the prestigious Allianz Junior Music Camp in Warsaw, Poland. During the camp, he received a masterclass from Lang Lang, an experience that reinforced his aspiration to pursue music at the highest level. Further international exposure followed through mentorship with German pianist Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy, leading to performances in Germany and France and continued artistic guidance in subsequent years. Alongside his solo work, Qden has performed extensively with orchestras. He has appeared as concerto soloist with most major South African orchestras, including the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Free State Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Junior Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, performing works by composers such as Mozart, Gershwin, Beethoven, and Chopin. His orchestral appearances have taken place in leading venues including the Cape Town City Hall, Artscape, Endler Hall, and at major national festivals. Qden has also been active in media and outreach, featuring on national television programmes such as Expresso Morning Show, SABC News, Kwela, and Die Groot Ontbyt, as well as on radio and in newspapers and magazines both locally and internationally. He has participated in numerous masterclasses with distinguished artists, reflecting his ongoing commitment to learning and artistic growth.
Currently, Qden is a fourth-year Bachelor of Music (Piano Performance) student at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studies under the mentorship of acclaimed Russian pianist Rustem Hayroudinoff. Recently his work has been recognised in the United Kingdom through the award of a Royal Overseas League (ROSL) Overseas Award (overseas winner), and his selection as a Making Music artist as part of the prestigious Philip and Dorothy Green Young Artist scheme, supporting emerging performers at the early stages of their professional careers. Most recently, Qden has joined Talent Unlimited’s free lunchtime concert series, performing as part of their programme of concerts designed to bring high-quality live music to a wider audience. His studies have broadened his artistic perspective and strengthened his interest in interdisciplinary collaboration.
Recent projects include performances with contemporary visual artists and a return to composition. He was commissioned by Berlin-based artist Robin Rhode to create original music for an exhibition celebrating and interrogating the city of Johannesburg, with further international collaborations planned. Qden is deeply committed to using his artistry to engage new audiences, particularly young people, and has presented concerts and outreach initiatives to support disadvantaged music schools.
With a growing international profile, Qden Blaauw continues to develop as a versatile pianist whose work bridges performance, collaboration, and creative exploration, while remaining rooted in the classical tradition.
Presented in association with Talent Unlimited
