An intimate portrait of Benjamin Britten, as seen through a sequence of bittersweet songs for voice and piano and voice and guitar, provided the perfect antidote to the Wagner marathon at the Proms. The concert included an intense and very moving performance of the Canticle ‘Abraham and Isaac’ with tenor James Gilchrist, soprano Ruby Hughes and Imogen Cooper at the piano.
Read my full review here
Watch the entire concert (click on the picture to go to the BBC Radio Three website)
Concerts by Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin are always challenging and exciting: a fearless approach to repertoire and unusual programme juxtapositions, combined with insightful musicianship, all underpinned by formidable technique create some of the most compelling musical experiences, and Hamelin’s latest Wigmore Hall offering was no exception.
Read my full review here
Leighton House has to be one of my most favourite houses in London. Tucked away in a quiet, tree-lined residential road close to Holland Park and Kensington High Street, it is the former home and studio of leading Victorian painting, Frederic, Lord Leighton. Created as a “private palace of art” to showcase Leighton’s fine collection of paintings, sculpture and decorative art, the house was also a place where the artistic and cultural denizens of London, and beyond, could gather for soirées, lectures and other events. Read my full review for One Stop Arts here
My review of Victorian Visions at Leighton House
British pianist Leon McCawley presented a programme of music by Chopin, Debussy and Schumann, all played with evident relish and enjoyment, at a charming lunchtime recital at London’s Wigmore Hall.
Read my full review here
Leon McCawley kindly participated in my ‘Meet the Artist….’ series. Read his interview here
The Cross-Eyed Pianist 