ChristopherAxworthy-MusicCommentary

Sounds rarely heard in this hallowed shrine of chamber music wafted around the hall from the very first notes as Illia caressed the notes of this magnificent vintage instrument known amongst the privileged few as the ‘old lady’ . Illia did not know which piano he had been given for his long awaited debut at the Wigmore Hall. It has no importance because the kaleidoscope of sounds and wondrous sense of balance spoke for itself.

A young man who has been on the radar for some time since growing in stature from being heard in the Paderewski and the Busoni Competitions. Finally reaching his just recognition in Canada in the Honens Competition .

His recent CD of the Liszt Sonata got the praise it deserves from the critics and it was this pinnacle of the Romantic piano repertoire that he chose for this concert.

Variations on the Allegretto from Beethoven’s 7th by Corigliano and Schumann before playing Liszt’s extraordinary transcription all preceded a monumental recreation of Liszt’s mighty B minor sonata .

Visibly moved as we all were with many minutes of contemplative silence after such a ritual, Illia offered a prelude by a Ukrainian compatriot very much in the style of Scriabin .

Wondrous sounds filled the hall where emotion and mastery created a magic which will long resounds within these walls.

The B minor Sonata was of a nobility with an extraordinary range of sounds. A sense of balance that these days is rarely taken into consideration. In this very hall the great master pianists of the past were above all magicians who by means of subtle colouring could give the illusion that the piano could sing with the same inflections as the human voice. In every note there is an infinite variety of sounds where this black box of hammers and strings was not all black and white but multi coloured.

From the very first sounds of Corigliano ,written as a test piece for the Cliburn Competition a few years ago, Illia created an amazing range of whispered sounds showing a masterly control of dynamics . He created a very evocative warmth with sumptuous depth, out of which piercing sounds were heard shrieking within this ghostly atmosphere. Suddenly in the distance like a submerged cathedral gradually coming into view, there could be heard the rhythm of the 7th which was felt vibrating as it revealed itself with glowing clarity. A pointilist painting in sound where this poet of the keyboard could take us to a world of make believe with a vision of wondrous beauty only revealed so potently because there was also piercing brutality. Music is made of contrasts and it was this that gave such meaning and architectural shape to a work that in lesser hands could be just a series of disjointed sounds.

I must confess I do not know this early work of Schumann but obviously Beethoven was bathed in a golden web of wondrous moving harmonies. Illia has an extraordinary lightness ,not exactly jeux perlé, but a way like Kantarow of being able to see the true musical line and the wood enveloped by trees which have branches blowing in wind – to use Chopin’s words. A wondrous sense of balance allowed the melodic line to be revealed amongst a continuous stream of golden sounds played with a kaleidoscope of colours . Magic was in the air as the theme was played with chiselled beauty with a bare minimum of suggestive accompaniments. Here was a transcendental display of playing from another age where sumptuous rich sounds filled this hall from a truly grand sounding piano in the hands of a master magician.

A masterly performance of Liszt’s transcription of the Allegretto from the Seventh Symphony where Illia ‘s ten spindly fingers could find an infinite variety of sounds . What marvels there were when the melodic line soared above the pounding insistent bass. A quite extraordinary fluidity to the sound as it became ever more intense.

The opening of the Liszt Sonata was a lesson in how to read the score In the introduction the three leit motifs were played ‘piano’ and ‘forte’ the fortissimo appearing only as the Sonata takes wing. If the ‘sempre forte ed agitato’ was played rather too fast to allow the third theme to be clearly underlined it was because Illia’s passion and driving energy swept all before it with a wondrous sense of balance and architectural shape never allowing us to loose sight of the musical line. Even the great chordal accompaniments to the most passionate of outpourings were merely vibrations that accompanied the melodic line. Breathtaking fearless brilliance was always kept under control by a master musician with octaves played with extraordinary clarity and the melodic episodes played with heartrending simplicity. I have never heard the fugato played with such whispered whimsy as it gradually built to a tumultuous climax.The final visionary page was played with quite extraordinary clarity where legato and staccato lived happily together as all three themes became entwined in a final etherial farewell.The final three repeated chords were played with ever diminishing whispered sounds as the final ‘B’ deep in the bass brought this harrowing tale to a sombre ending. There were many minutes of absolute silence as the entire audience were as one with Illia, in one of those unforgettable magic moments that only live music making can offer.

A star is truly born tonight and is shining brightly.This young artist will surely enrich the lives of us all for years to come.

Illia Ovcharenko in Gstaad Sweet innocence of youth and the birth of a great artist

Illia Ovcharenko in Duszniki A great artist with a heart of gold

An artist is known by their programmes and Chenyu Wang presented three master works that showed her artistry and masterly musicianship.

A graduate from the Royal Academy under Ian Fountain , whose birthday it was too .

What better way to pass a special day than listening to his student playing with such superb musicianship: Beethoven op 110, Schumann Kreisleriana op 16 and the simple beauty of Ravel’s Sonatine. Chenyu who had just flown in from Boston where she is now preparing her Masters at the New England Conservatory under Alessio Bax, who with Paul Lewis was one of the first pianists to benefit from the Keyboard Trusts caring hands under the founders Noretta Conci and John Leech.

Kreisleriana opened this short recital where the eight episodes poured from her hands with poetic beauty and extraordinary technical control. Each piece played with ravishing beauty and passionate commitment, whilst at the same time she could knit them into one complete whole. The first episode just shot from her fingers with extraordinary authority and drive but it was the legato and control of sound in the second episode that was even more remarkable for the shape and beauty she was able to bring to this long and, in lesser hands, seemingly meandering piece. The penultimate episode too was a ‘tour de force’ of dynamic playing with no splitting of hands for this young master, just hair raising passionate driving urgency. But it was the final teasingly simple episode that she played with remarkable musicianship as the syncopated bass notes just added an anchor to the seemingly whimsical upper parts. Expanding into a sumptuously rich outpouring of Philadelphian sounds but always returning to the whispered snail like meanderings that were to take us to the whispered adieu at the bottom of the keyboard.

Simplicity and radiant beauty refreshed the air as she allowed Ravel’s Sonatine to vibrate with crystalline ease. Even the last movement was a wave of brilliant sounds gradually gaining more and more momentum with hypnotic vibrancy.

Taking all the time needed to play the magical opening notes of Beethoven’s penultimate sonata . I was reminded of Glenn Gould who would spend hours over the opening notes of the Fourth Concerto that has so much in common with the genial opening of this sonata too. The genius of Beethoven, who with so few notes could say so much. Chenyu brought a poignant stillness to the first movement of op 110 playing with disarming simplicity and radiant beauty . The transition to the development where Beethoven takes one magical step down and D flat becomes E flat, was where Chenyu displayed her breathtaking knowing understatement. There was immediately a rude awakening with the dynamic Beethovenian drive of the ‘Allegro molto’ where the treacherous leaps in the ‘Trio’ were played with fearless mastery .This set the scene for one of Beethoven’s most poignant outpourings of bel canto. The delicacy and kaleidoscope of colours that Chenyu found created a magic that held us spellbound in wonder that music could contain such unfathomoble secrets. Gradually allowing the music to unfold as Beethoven reaches the ecstatic climax with his vision of the paradise that was to await just a few years on at the age of only 57.

Playing of mastery and maturity as this twenty three year old descended on London for just twenty four hours. A permanent jet lag was a small price to pay for being able to share such wonders with us last night, and to celebrate the birthday of her mentor Ian Fountain the only British pianist with Benjamin Frith in 1989 to win the Rubinstein Competition.

Leslie Howard , founder trustee of the Keyboard Trust and master pianist will give his annual Wigmore recital ( I think almost the 50th) on 23rd of this month .

He was generously presiding and conducting a short public conversation with his remarkable younger colleague .

Celebrations were now in order above all for the magnificent music making we had been treated to but also to celebrate not only Ian Fountain’s birthday but also mine!

Chenyu is already in the sky looking down on the proceedings with a knowing twinkle in her eye.

Chenyu Wang, 23, from Zhuhai, China, is currently pursuing her Master of Music degree at the New England Conservatory in Boston, studying with Alexander Korsantia and Alessio Bax.

From 2014 to 2020, Chenyu studied at the Music School affiliated with the Xinghai Conservatory of Music in Guangzhou, where she won the Concerto Prize in the piano department and received multiple scholarships. She also gave recitals at Guangzhou’s Steinway House. In 2016, she won First Prize in the Beijing Xinghai Cup, one of China’s top national competitions for young pianists.

In June 2024, she graduated with First Class Honours from the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied with Ian Fountain on a full scholarship. She also received the Edna Bralesford Piano Prize for the highest recital mark of the year. Chenyu was awarded the Polonsky Foundation Fellowship with a full scholarship to attend the 2024 Aspen Music Festival and School. In 2023, she won First Prize in the Piano Recital category at the Oxford Music Festival.

Chenyu has performed at prestigious venues including Jordan Hall in Boston, St James’s Piccadilly in London, the Wiener Saal of the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg, the Concert Hall of the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, and the Oratorio di Santa Caterina in Cervo, Italy.

In addition to Aspen, Chenyu has participated in notable festivals such as the Oxford Piano Festival, Morningside Music Bridge, Internationale Sommerakademie Mozarteum, and the Accademia Internazionale Estiva di Cervo, among others. She has worked with distinguished musicians including Arie Vardi, Michel Béroff, Steven Kovacevich, Arnulf von Arnim, Eleanor Wong, Aquiles Delle Vigne, and Sa Chen.

Programme for Leslie Howard’s annual Wigmore Hall recital!

23rd October 2025 at 7:30pm

BEETHOVEN Sonata no. 11 in B flat major, opus 22

TCHAIKOVSKY Grande Sonate (no. 3) in G major, opus 37

LISZT Deux Polonaises, S223:

LISZT Liebesträume — Drei Notturnos, S541

LISZT Soldaten- Chor & Marsch aus der Oper Faust von Charles Gounod, S743

More than 50 years ago, Leslie Howard performed three consecutive recitals at Wigmore Hall celebrating the music of Beethoven, Liszt, and the great Russian Romantics. These three aspects of the piano repertoire have been informing many of his recital and recording programmes every since. His 2025 Wigmore recital continues the tradition:

The culmination of Beethoven’s first great group of piano sonatas, the composer himself suggesting that the composition the B flat major sonata went so smoothly that the piece seemingly took care of itself. The result is a work of consummate refinement and elegance, with a perfect balance between lyricism and concertante display, demonstrated in miniature in the minuet and trio and at large in the grand dramatic structure of the whole work.

Tchaikovsky left his first sonata as an incomplete first movement in F minor; his second, a four-movement work in C sharp minor, remained in manuscript until it appeared after the composer’s death as his opus 80; the third fared rather better, and was completed in 1878 and published contemporaneously with the violin concerto. It was taken up by Nikolay Rubinstein, and enjoyed considerable success in its day, despite Tchaikovsky’s initial customary doubts and misgivings. It is a bold piece, often very orchestral in its texture, and notably intricate in deriving its materials from very short motivic cells. (Leslie Howard recorded all three sonatas for Hyperion.)

Liszt’s inexhaustible fecundity produced a vast range of compositions of all kinds, and the public is only gradually coming to terms with Liszt’s range and true depth. The pieces in the present recital are amongst his most beloved works, presenting first the two very imposing polonaises – the one a powerful elegy, the other overflowing with joy. Then come the Liebesträume (Love’s dreams) – three nocturnes. The third has always been Liszt’s most popular intimate melody, but it it is even more striking when heard in conjunction with its two companions. Of course, all three pieces were originally songs with piano – always entitled Liebesträume, and the nocturnes retain the song titles: Hohe Liebe (Great love), Seliger Tod (Blessed death) and O lieb, so lang du lieben kannst (Oh Love, as long as you are able to love).

The final piece is a conundrum. Not that anyone will fail to recognise the famous Soldiers’ March and Chorus from Gounod’s Faust, but this rather riotous piano elaboration of it first appeared in print as the opus 17 of one Josef Löw (1834-1886). Because of references in Liszt’s correspondence, it was long thought that there must have been a missing piece of Liszt with this title. Further investigation shows that Liszt was approached to help young Löw by gifting the young fellow something that he could claim as his own, and this work is immediately identified. Unsurprisingly, the published piece is fulsomely dedicated to Liszt. But there are no surviving manuscripts, and no way of knowing how much, if anything, Löw contributed to the publication. And there are many felicitous touches and hallmarks that bear clear testimony to Liszt’s authorship!

Leslie Howard bringing the concealed mastery of pianistic genius to Trapani

Beethoven Sonata in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 ‘Moonlight’  Adagio sostenuto- Allegretto – Presto agitato

Schumann Fantasiestücke, Op. 12  Des Abends – Aufschwung – Warum – Grillen -In der Nacht – Fabel – Traumes Wirren – Ende vom Lied

Gounod/Liszt Faust Waltz 

Rachel Cheung playing for the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe, how could she not open but with Beethoven.The thirty two sonatas Julian Jacobson had presented in this very hall a few years ago in a marathon non stop performance of all thirty two at one sitting. He was now presenting his colleague from Hong Kong with just one of the thirty two steps of Beethoven that map the long and tormented existence of a genius.

Today he was presenting Rachel in whose Academy in Hong Kong he had recently given masterclasses. Rachel today just presented one Sonata ,but it is the most well known of all sonatas , known as the ‘Moonlight’. A title that Beethoven did not choose but his publisher thought would sell better if it had a title ! One of his two Sonatas ‘quasi una fantasia’ that make up op 27. Both extraordinarily original works where Beethoven is breaking away from his teacher Haydn and the classical model sonata form .

Op 27 n.2 which Rachel played today suffers from its title in that people usually play the first movement too slowly gazing into the magical inexistent moonlit waters. It is infact written in two and the continual triplets are but an accompaniment to the melody that is floated above. Rachel played it as Beethoven had written and her beautiful flowing tempo and the glistening clarity of the melodic line was given an architectural shape that gave a noble beauty to this ‘Adagio sostenuto.’ The ‘Allegretto’ was played with Beethovenian severity where grace and Haydenesque charm would have contrasted better with the Trio that she played with great authority. The ‘Presto agitato’,last movement was played with masterly control and burning intensity. Even the beautiful mellifluous passages had an urgency to them that brought us to the tumultuous cascades of notes, and after a brief relieving cadenza, the final burst of driving urgency was played with masterly authority.

It was the world of Schumann where Rachel’s mastery really shone brightly. There was an authority and beauty to all that she did, where even the opening ‘Des Abends’ was played with a chiselled beauty and timeless beauty. A magical accompaniment on which the melodic line could float with poignant meaning. ‘Auschwung’ just sprung from her fingers with a passionate outpouring of driving intensity , but even here there was a beautiful melodic line that floated magically above an ever more agitated accompaniment . There was wondrous beauty to ‘Warum’ where the beauty of the duet between the voices was played with ravishing sounds with exquisite phrasing and magical colouring. She brought a great sense of character to ‘Grillen’ with a continuous whimsical display of rhythmic and melodic episodes played with extraordinary brilliance and beguiling capricious charm. ‘In der Nacht’ brought a superb web of weaving sounds played with absolute mastery and clarity and with a terrifying driving force. Even here, wondrous melody suddenly appeared, as Schumann in this period, like Schubert, seemed to have a never ending song in his heart. ‘Fabel’ brought capricious comments of improvised lightness in reply to the slow melodic story that was unfolding with such poetic imagination. ‘Traumes Wirren’ was played with fearless mastery as this ‘perpetuum mobile’ drove its way relentlessly over the entire keyboard with exhilarating exuberance. There was a nobility to the ‘Ende vom Lied’ that Rachel played with aristocratic authority. The absolute stillness that she brought to the final few bars was magic indeed. As Schumann wrote so poignantly to Clara : ‘everything ultimately dissolves into a merry wedding – but my distress for you came back at the end, and the wedding bells sound as if commingled with a death knell.”

A masterly performance that held us spellbound with the poetic beauty and authority of her playing

The final work was the Gounod /Liszt Faust paraphrase. A pianistic show piece that Rachel played with fearless abandon but with masterly control . A kaleidoscope of colours illuminated the extraordinary brilliance of the jeux perlé as Liszt weaves a magical web of sounds incorporating Gounod ‘s magical melodies . Grandeur and sumptuous rich sounds filled this beautiful church with sounds of the opera where glissandi were thrown off with the same natural ease as a singer with the embellishments of bel canto. A breathtaking ‘tour de force’ of a work that in Liszt’s day would turn refined aristocratic ladies into a screaming mob wanting souvenirs of their idol to take home . Rachel’s performance ,too, generated such excitement that the final tumultuous bars were greeted with a spontaneous standing ovation.

Hong Kong-born pianist Rachel Cheung is recognized as one of the most sought-after artists in Asia. She has been hailed as “a poet, but also a dramatist,” displaying “the most sophisticated and compelling music-making” (The Dallas Morning News). She won over audiences and critics alike as a finalist at the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition with “stunningly imaginative” (Musical America) interpretations marked by “flights of both beauty and virtuosity” (Theater Jones) and was awarded the Audience Prize by online vote. Also a Steinway Artist, she continues to build a reputation for her elegant stage presence, giving sensitive and refined performances across three continents. 

Rachel has appeared with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Jerusalem Symphony, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Sydney Symphony, London Chamber, and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestras, collaborating with conductors including Edo de Waart, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Jaap van Zweden, Leonard Slatkin, Sir Mark Elder, Christopher Warren-Green, and Nicholas McGegan. 

She has performed in recital at the Auditorium du Louvre in Paris, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Steinway Hall in London, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts in Toronto, Philharmonie de Paris, and in other cities across the United States, Europe, and Asia. 

As an active chamber musician, Rachel has collaborated with world-renowned artists including soprano Anna Netrebko, tenor Yusif Eyvazov, mezzo-soprano Virpi Räisänen, violinists Joshua Bell and Ning Feng, violist Vladimir Mendelssohn, cellists Camille Thomas, Zlatomir Fung, and Narek Hakhnazaryan, as well as the Brentano String Quartet and Quatuor Hanson. 

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Rachel graduated with first-class honors from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts under the tutelage of Eleanor Wong and later studied with Peter Frankl at the Yale School of Music, where she was awarded the Elizabeth Parisot Prize for outstanding pianists. Her additional competition honors include prizes at the Leeds, Chopin, Vladimir Horowitz, Gina Bachauer, and Geneva International Piano Competitions. 

In 2019, Rachel was awarded Artist of the Year (Music) by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. In 2025, she founded the Rachel Cheung Music Academy in Hong Kong, aiming to create a vibrant musical community and inspire the next generation of musicians. Her first concert DVD was released by VAI in 2007, and her debut international album, Reflections, featuring the Chopin Preludes, was released by Universal Music. 

Presented in association with the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe  

Rachel Cheung at St Mary’s Perivale

Review by Daniel Moult Head of Organ Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

THOMAS HOWELL has already established his reputation on the UK organ scene whilst still an undergraduate at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, studying under Daniel Moult and Nicholas Wearne. He has held positions at the cathedrals of Chichester and Birmingham, is
a competition winner (including second prize at the prestigious IAO RCO Competition 2024), and is also active as a piano accompanist and carillonneur (in his spare time). His adoption by the Keyboard Trust will open further opportunities in the UK and beyond, not least
Sunday’s recital in the Summer Organ Festival Young Artist Platform at Westminster Abbey.

The Abbey organ has power and authority, but is not without its traps for the unwary. Its position on the screen at the head of the Nave means that the sound can be rather diffuse, a situation not helped by the substantial acoustic in the main body of the building.

Thomas was able to overcome these issues with commendable success, in playing that was invariably clear, well-paced, and in sympathy with the size of the room. Whilst this is a challenge facing all organists performing in many a cavernous space, it is a skill which can elude even the experienced concert player.

The Cantabile by César Franck took us to a very different sound world and emotional space, showing a beautiful sense of line and a confident control of bigger architecture, as well as a fine control of legato. This is a small masterpiece, with its modest size belying the intensity of the material and the superb compositional craft. Thomas
summoned up the colours specifically demanded by Franck, with apt and well-balanced registrations.

But it was the subsequent Scherzo from the Organ Sonata of Sir Edward Bairstow which fitted the Abbey organ’s Edwardian pedigree like a glove. Suitably refined and plummy tones graced this curious music, at times rumbustious and fun, but elsewhere darker and even menacing. If the series allowed for spoken introductions or brief programme notes (a mixed blessing, of course), it might have been appropriate to mention the background of the Sonata. Bairstow composed this whilst on holiday on the Isle of Arran in
1937, with Europe in an already precarious political state.

Proud of his Welsh heritage, Thomas included as his penultimate piece the elusive Canzonetta by fellow Welshman, William Matthias. Alternating between folk-like simple melody and more extended harmonies (sometimes reminiscent of Olivier Messsiaen), the
short work was perhaps a little more of a challenge for the largely non-musician audience.
But is sometimes good to take our audiences beyond their comfort zones, and I sensed that this curious and effective piece held their attention.

Whatever the case, the Final from Charles-Marie Widor’s Symphonie VI blew away any lingering mystery or uncertainty, with
its unabashed opening swagger. Here, the true ‘ff’ of the instrument was revealed (the louder sections of the Bairstow having been deliberately held in check) to powerful effect. As is sometimes the case with Widor’s finales, the middle section is less direct in expression, although this made for a yet more arresting return to the main material. And the ending was suitably cataclysmic, with a massive G major final cadence filling the space with optimism and joy.

Young organ performers today face a dilemma, as they must find their own musical way in the midst of social media populism and the cult of the personality.

In the case of Thomas, he exhibited a strong and mature musical character of his own, and gave us an accessible
programme of integrity and substance. His future is surely bright, and he and others will be the ambassadors of the organ that showcase the organ art and its rich heritage.

The extraordinary Tyler Hay excites and stimulates the senses at the National Liberal Club with a recital of ‘petit rien’, full of ebullient fun and outrageous virtuosity. Thwarted by Ben Westlake in a comic partnership that goes back after many years of cruising together over many seas. It took Chairman Peter Whyte to restore order with a bottle of vintage champagne and a bunch of flowers!

‘Tyler Hay Vaudeville Virtuoso! ‘ A piano Recital of Wit,Wonder,and Wizardry shouts the poster.

We will not be asking for our money back but demanding a return fight!

A programme that had begun with the Polonaise Héroique. Frederick Lamond declared it to be more often a Bolognaise than a Polonaise! Heroically played by the new born Victor Borge where their wit belies the artistry and mastery involved. Debussy’s ‘Girl with the flaxen Hair’ followed and was played with a tenderness and beauty that showed what a sensitive heart this young man possesses too. Spring was in the air with Mendelssohn and Sinding .

A ‘song’ and a ‘rustle’ that used to be on the music stand next to the aspidistra in every respectable household until ousted by the TV.

And a virtuoso piece by Liszt before we adjourned to the bar with bells jingling in our heads from a dizzying display of refined virtuosity with Liszt’s helpful additions to the extraordinary goings on of Paganini ! Yes,’La Campanella!’

After the interval two rarely heard masterworks discovered by Tyler on his journey into the archives to find neglected masterpieces that for some reason have been overlooked and even overshadowed by the works that our concert programmes are all too often besieged with ! As Tyler said so many childhoods have been spoilt by the name of Czerny with he and Clementi being responsible for so much youthful anguish Gradus ad Parnassum – the later being very rarely reached ! But within the 861 works of this pupil of Beethoven and teacher of Liszt there are some gems for those that have the ears and above all the fingers to bring them back to life . One such piece was played tonight : ’34 variations and fugato on an original theme by Carl Czerny.’ . An amazing display not only of ‘fingerfertigkeit’ but a finesse and refined palette of sounds that only Horowitz was able to show us in the better known ‘Ricordanza’ Variations. Played with passion and fury but also with delicacy and a kaleidoscope of colour .This was indeed a discovery and the only recording that exists is of Tyler Hay pilfered from a live performance and ready to be consumed by thousands on you tube!

The main work in the programme showed Tyler Hay, the serious thinking musician, who could bring Anton Rubinstein’s First (of four) Sonata brilliantly to life, giving it an architectural shape and narrative that indeed makes one wonder why it is not heard more often in the concert hall. This was certainly no vaudeville but a brilliant searching musician with a virtuoso technique and a heart of gold.

Awarded the Kettner equivalent of the nobel by the Chairman Peter Whyte – a bottle of vintage Champagne and a bunch of daisies!

Tyler Hay reaching for the stars.’From candlelight to starlight’.A masterly display of artistry and showmanship at St Martin in the Fields

Tyler Hay at St Mary’s Perivale ‘The Perfect Pianist comes of age ‘

The next concert in the Kettner series is a celebration for Halloween and will be given by Shunta Morimoto ,the twenty year old winner of the Hastings International Piano Competition (at 17!). The concerts take place in the historic Hall where Rachmaninov gave his last European performance in 1939 before fleeing to a New World where he died in 1943.

Shunta Morimoto bringing youthful mastery and magic to Walton’s Paradise

Shunta Morimoto takes Rome by storm

A quite extraordinary artist who I often hear in the beautiful church in Bedford Park of St Michael’s and All Angels

He lives opposite and like Liszt frequents the church ( and the Tabard opposite !) as a fervent believer and quite regularly is seen serving at Mass. Not only serving but also adding a musical offering of his quite unique scholarship and pianistic mastery . Two or three times a year he can be heard in repertoire that one will probably have never heard in concert before!

His next concert will be on the 19 December as his Christmas offering – a feast fit for celebration indeed .

Mark Viner takes Bedford Park by storm …….Refined French cuisine prepared by a Master Chef

I heard this concert just a month ago and I am glad to include my thoughts here. I am even more grateful to Dr Mather and his team for allowing Mark to play the same programme in their beautiful church on Ealing Golf Course , St Mary’s Perivale .Their superb recording facilities allow this recital to be recorded and heard world wide .It is an important document that should be shared more widely and not only a humble offering to our Lord.

Described by International Piano Magazine as “one of the most gifted pianists of his generation”, Mark Viner is steadily gaining a reputation as one of Britain’s leading concert pianists; his unique blend of individual artistry combined with his bold exploration of the byways of the piano literature garnering international renown. He began playing at the age of 11 before being awarded a scholarship two years later to enter the Purcell School of Music where he studied with Tessa Nicholson for the next five years. Another scholarship took him to the Royal College of Music where he studied with the late Niel Immelman for the next six years, graduating with first class honours in a Bachelor of Music degree in 2011 and a distinction in Master of Performance 2013; the same year which afforded him the honour to perform before HM the King. 

After winning 1st prize at the Alkan-Zimmerman International Piano Competition in Athens, Greece in 2012, his career has brought him across much of Europe as well as North and South America. While festival invitations include appearances the Raritäten der Klaviermusik, Husum in Germany, the Cheltenham Music Festival and Harrogate Music Festival in the United Kingdom and the Festival Chopiniana in Argentina, radio broadcasts include recitals and interviews aired on Deutschlandfunk together with frequent appearances on BBC Radio 3. His acclaimed Wigmore Hall début recital in 2018 confirmed his reputation as one of today’s indisputable torchbearers of the Romantic Revival. 

He is particularly renowned for his CD recordings on the Piano Classics label which include music by Alkan, Blumenfeld, Chaminade, Liszt and Thalberg, all of which have garnered exceptional international critical acclaim. His most important project to date is a survey of the complete piano music of Alkan: the first of its kind and which is expected to run to some 18 CDs in length. Aside from a busy schedule of concerts and teaching, he is also a published composer and writer and his advocacy for the music of Alkan led to his election as Chairman the Alkan Society 2014. 

Mark Viner cooks a dish fit for a King Ravishing beauty,supreme artistry and total mastery served up on a casserole by a cordon bleu maitre.

Mark Viner at St Michael and All Angels bringing mastery and discovery to Chiswick

Mark Viner at St Mary’s Faustian Struggles and Promethean Prophesies

Mark Viner takes London by storm

Mark Viner takes Italy by Storm

The Schumann Piano Concerto, one of the most beautiful of all Romantic concerti for its chamber music quality where the piano is part of a whole and not just the virtuoso pianist battling with the orchestra. A concerto that requires more musicianship than muscle, as the pianist must dialogue with the orchestra with a question and answer and give and take that requires the orchestra to listen as attentively as the pianist. It was just this dialogue that immediately captured the attention with the poetic almost improvised freedom of the central rhapsodic episode of the first movement.

Dominika’s refined arpeggios like an Aeolian harp on which she floated one of Schumann’s most poetic of melodies that was answered by the beauty of Massimo Roman’s clarinet . A duet where each player was listening to the other whilst the excellent Michal Oren was ever vigilant to keep the orchestra on their toes also listening and ready to follow with unusual flexibility this poetic outpouring between two voices.

It was the same chamber music quality in the ‘Andantino grazioso’ where Dominika’s refined playing was answered by the orchestra in a dialogue of poetic poignancy. The perfect tempo, set by Dominika, allowed this movement to flow with natural freedom where the ‘cello’s too could have an important voice in this continual dialogue between the piano and orchestra. Some whispered playing of glowing beauty at the end of this second movement when Schumann allows the melodic line to disintegrate before linking it to the dynamic drive of the ‘Allegro vivace’ last movement. Dominika here as in the first movement playing with masterly control but always where the architectural shape was formost in her mind. Her heart, of course, was always ready to shape Schumann’s ebb and flow of jeux perlé in the last movement with beguiling charm and poetic rhythmic drive.

The cadenza in the first movement showed even more Dominika’s refined musicianship. Shaping the phrases with beauty and elegance where even the tempestuous chordal climax was merely a series of moving harmonies reaching out to the long trills that would take her back to continue the poetic dialogue with her colleagues.

An unexpectedly refined performance with a non professional group of players was greeted by an ovation and Dominika, the guest soloist, was invited to play some more.

Chopin’s Berceuse was the ideal choice as Dominika’s glowing sounds wafted around this beautiful church with radiance and refined beauty as her aristocratic music making held the audience ,which included the orchestra at this point , spellbound.

An orchestra that Michal Oren enticed to listen to themselves as she at the helm directed them with musicianship and style,as we were immediately aware of from the very opening Overture in Italian Style.

Dominika Mak at the Matthiesen Gallery – Young Artists Concert Series ‘Dreaming of Utopia with playing of refined finesse’

Dominka Mak ‘If music be the food of love…..please play on ‘

POSK Chopin Festival 2004 Mak – Dubiel-Pawlak- Swigut A feast of music and full immersion with Lady Rose Cholmondeley and Prof John Rink

Dominika Mak Refined music making of intelligence and clarity

The Schumann Piano Concerto, one of the most beautiful of all Romantic concerti for its chamber music quality where the piano is part of a whole and not just the virtuoso pianist battling with the orchestra. A concerto that requires more musicianship than muscle, as the pianist must dialogue with the orchestra with a question and answer and give and take that requires the orchestra to listen as attentively as the pianist. It was just this dialogue that immediately captured the attention with the poetic almost improvised freedom of the central rhapsodic episode of the first movement.

Dominika’s refined arpeggios like an Aeolian harp on which she floated one of Schumann’s most poetic of melodies that was answered by the beauty of Massimo Roman’s clarinet . A duet where each player was listening to the other whilst the excellent Michal Oren was ever vigilant to keep the orchestra on their toes also listening and ready to follow with unusual flexibility this poetic outpouring between two voices.

It was the same chamber music quality in the ‘Andantino grazioso’ where Dominika’s refined playing was answered by the orchestra in a dialogue of poetic poignancy. The perfect tempo, set by Dominika, allowed this movement to flow with natural freedom where the ‘cello’s too could have an important voice in this continual dialogue between the piano and orchestra. Some whispered playing of glowing beauty at the end of this second movement when Schumann allows the melodic line to disintegrate before linking it to the dynamic drive of the ‘Allegro vivace’ last movement. Dominika here as in the first movement playing with masterly control but always where the architectural shape was formost in her mind. Her heart, of course, was always ready to shape Schumann’s ebb and flow of jeux perlé in the last movement with beguiling charm and poetic rhythmic drive.

The cadenza in the first movement showed even more Dominika’s refined musicianship. Shaping the phrases with beauty and elegance where even the tempestuous chordal climax was merely a series of moving harmonies reaching out to the long trills that would take her back to continue the poetic dialogue with her colleagues.

An unexpectedly refined performance with a non professional group of players was greeted by an ovation and Dominika, the guest soloist, was invited to play some more.

Chopin’s Berceuse was the ideal choice as Dominika’s glowing sounds wafted around this beautiful church with radiance and refined beauty as her aristocratic music making held the audience ,which included the orchestra at this point , spellbound.

An orchestra that Michal Oren enticed to listen to themselves as she at the helm directed them with musicianship and style,as we were immediately aware of from the very opening Overture in Italian Style.

Dominika Mak at the Matthiesen Gallery – Young Artists Concert Series ‘Dreaming of Utopia with playing of refined finesse’

Dominka Mak ‘If music be the food of love…..please play on ‘

POSK Chopin Festival 2004 Mak – Dubiel-Pawlak- Swigut A feast of music and full immersion with Lady Rose Cholmondeley and Prof John Rink

Dominika Mak Refined music making of intelligence and clarity

Magic in the air at the National Gallery as Jessica Duchen and Lara Melda told the moving story of resilience and courage as Myra Hess became a National Treasure with the concerts that helped save people’s soul during the Second World War.

10th October 1939 was celebrated today in 2025 with the piano in the same spot and in the same gallery.

A story told in words and music. The words spoken with remarkable intensity and the presence of an actress who has lived with and digested these words.

She knows the poignant significance of what made Dame Myra every bit a hero as Churchill when our country was under siege. The people needed Hope,Courage and Solace and Myra showed them that music could be a soothing balm for such terrifying experiences.

Lara playing with the same authority and superb musicianship that Uncle Tobbs had bequeathed to his star student. A sense of colour and beauty where every note spoke so eloquently. Nowhere more was this evident than in the fleeting beauty of Schumann’s ‘Prophet Bird’. The sublime understatement of the chorale interruption was played with ravishing whispered beauty .The Prophet Bird was obviously enchanted because she took wing again with a nostalgic smile on her face, disappearing into the far distance. Lara could make the music come vividly to life, just as Myra Hess could do. Myra took America by storm filling the major halls to capacity wherever she went. In fact she could have stayed in America during the war, as many of her colleagues did ,but she like the Queen Mother wanted to be with her people in their hour of need. Myra was not a Chopin player in the traditional sense but would bring a classical understanding and beauty to a composer that had been distorted beyond belief in the name of tradition. Lara too brought an aristocratic beauty and architectural understanding to the first Ballade where even the jeux perlé cascades of notes were given a shape and meaning and not used as an egoistic showpiece of note spinning self gratification. Lara gave back to Chopin what his genius rightly deserves and she received an ovation from a distinguished audience, one or two even remember hearing Dame Myra too. The seriousness and musicianship she brought to Beethoven was indeed worthy of Dame Myra. A’Tempest’ Sonata we have heard many times but rarely as today. A sense of line and forward drive like riding on a great wave of hidden energy. A beautifully controlled ‘Adagio’ was followed by an ‘Allegretto’ that just took wing with a continual lift and rhythmic energy that was remarkable. Even the final note was placed with perfection instead of the more usual nonchalant indifference of lesser musicians.

Last but not least were Jessica’s poignant words describing Dame Myra’s wish to make music in the National Gallery just one last time, after the end of the war time concerts. A wish which was fulfilled only today with the piece that became synonymous with Dame Myra for a nation that she had given such comfort to in their hour of need . Lara visibly moved played ‘Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring’ with a whispered simplicity of ravishing playing of searing beauty.

What a tribute to our National Treasure and we could enjoy such mastery without even paying a shilling !

Jessica with an extraordinary presence after years of researching her National Treasure and Lara with music making of the same aristocratic beauty as Myra Hess .

The only way to end such a story of selfless humility and courage was as Myra herself would have done with ‘Jesu joy of man’s desiring ‘ …………Lara playing a Shegeru Kwai and filling Room 36 with the same magnificence as Dame Myra Hess all those years ago

Lara Melda – Ravished ,seduced and enriched by her poetry,intelligence and golden sounds

Dame Patricia Routledge and Piers Lane integrity and humility ravish and enrich

Fantasy on the menu tonight for Andras Schiff in a unique musical ritual, worshipping together the genius of Bach Haydn Mozart Beethoven Mendelssohn and Schumann.Chopin was never far away either!

Reminding me ever more of Kempff where music just poured from his hands that were forever searching for the perfect legato and orchestral sounds.

A world in which a musical language speaks louder than words as they delve into the very core of creation searching ever more for the life blood contained within.

Technical and pianistic problems are not even contemplated as such, but are the means to communicate the real message that is there to those who dedicate their life to a never ending journey of discovery.

It was fascinating to see his use of the pedals both romantic and baroque that gave an enormous sense of freedom to all that was floated above it . Anton Rubinstein called the pedal the soul of the piano’ and was obviously referring to the gradual addition of the sustaining pedal to the keyboard instruments of the day. It was noticeable that Andras held with his hand the bass notes at the opening of the chromatic fantasy creating a pedal note for the improvised freedom that Bach allows. As quoting Casals ‘ there is no freedom without order.’ Chopin of course described to his students that music should be like a tree with the roots firmly planted in the ground that allowed the branches to flow feely above. It was this sense of ordered freedom that pervaded his Bach and meant that nothing was hurried of exaggerated but the music was allowed to unfold with a natural simplicity and logic. The opening of the Mozart fantasy too was played with very strident opening chords that were gently and silently echoed by putting his hand down silently on the note again . It reminded me of Arrau and Perlemuter playing loudly with the soft pedal down in order to get that very French sounding nasal effect. The search for sound is so rare these days in the quest for volume and speed!

Mendelssohn actually writes in the score in the first movement very long pedals that give you an idea of how the notes above are just wafts of changing harmony. The ending in particular ( like in Beethoven’s op 126 that Andras played on Tuesday here, together with Schubert Drei Klavierstücke and the Fantasy Sonata ) a very long pedal created a very etherial ghostly effect of unearthly sounds that we rarely hear in the concert hall where clarity and precision is usually the norm!. Andras took it to the limit with a last movement that had some wondrous moments, where lightweight chords just seemed to bounce in mid air, but maybe the streams of notes are more brilliant jeux perlé than the actual changing harmonies that Mendelssohn so clearly marked in the first movement.

The Schumann Fantasy was a fascinating voyage of discovery.

Schumann prefaced it with a quote from Friedrich Schlegel :Durch alle Töne tönetIm bunten Erdentraum Ein leiser Ton gezogen Für den, der heimlich lauschet. “Resounding through all the notes in the earth’s colourful dream There sounds a faint long-drawn note For the one who listens in secret.”

And this explains the great pedal note of G that Andras began with his right hand leaning over his left deep into the bass . It was this insistence of G that was to pervade the whole movement with the sometimes over zealous insistence of discovery. It meant that everything else was floated on this sound which gave a strange impression of improvisation and freedom. Maybe exaggerated but stimulating indeed!

Andras had explained though about the musical quotation of a phrase from Beethoven’s song cycle An die ferne Geliebte ( To the distant beloved )  in the coda of the first movement . The text of the passage quoted is: Accept then these songs beloved, which I sang for you alone]. Both the Schlegel lines and the Beethoven described Schumann’s situation of being separated from Clara Wieck by her severe father. Schumann wrote to Clara: The first movement may well be the most passionate I have ever composed – a deep lament for you. They still had many tribulations to suffer before they finally married four years later.

Andras too pointed out that Charles Rosen had found in the original version in the library in Budapest that the ending of the first movement was repeated at the end of the last movement. Schumann later cancelled this idea, and I personally think he did it because to say I love you too many times looses it’s effect. Andras ,though, decided to play it giving a certain unity to this great love poem. He asked our forgiveness and that of Schumann, but it made for a stimulating rethinking of a masterwork that we can sometimes take for granted in lesser hands.

It was all through this recital a feeling of discovery and recreating the works as though the ink were still wet on the page.The plastic precision that CD’s have accustomed us to in the concert platform was substituted for a living,vibrant ,exciting journey of discovery together with a musician who delves deeper than most into the mystery of recreation.

The programme tonight was begun with the Aria of the Goldberg Variations which was a refined hors d’oeuvre to a sumptuous feast which consisted of the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue , Mozart Fantasy in C minor and Haydn’s in C major . Ending the first half with Beethoven’s Sonata quasi una fantasia op 27 n 1

After the interval Mendelssohn Fantasy in F sharp minor op 28 and Schumann ‘s monument to Beethoven but dedicated to Liszt , who actually erected the monument in Bonn, the Fantasy op 17 .

The Art of Andras Schiff Bach before the Mast

Andras Schiff ‘Miracles at the Wigmore Hall ‘