Wigmore Hall Podcasts
Discreetly nestled in central London, Wigmore Hall is one of the world’s great concert venues and is entering its 125th Season this autumn. The Hall is more than a venue, it is where audiences, artists and communities connect. In this anniversary year, we will celebrate all that Wigmore Hall has to offer with behind-the-scenes insights, artist conversations and discoveries from the archive. With new episodes every month, we’ll talk to musicians about what makes Wigmore Hall so special and how it has come to stand at the heart of the UK’s musical landscape. We will be exploring the Hall’s storied history, established and brand-new repertoire, music's place in society, and much more.
Episodes
Avril and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
In October’s podcast episode, music historians Leah Broad and Samantha Ege discuss the lives and works of Samuel and Avril Coleridge-Taylor.
Leah and Samantha introduce Samuel and Avril in the context of the early twentieth-century, sharing stories from their lives and discussing the work being done to preserve their legacies.
Kabuki Winterreise
In the first podcast episode of the 2026/27 season, mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron and dancer Suleiman Suleiman discuss their project ‘A Kabuki Winterreise: Spring Snow’
A meditation on sound and silence, solitude and communion, love and loss, this project intertwines the narratives of Yasuna, one of the great kabuki plays dating back to 1818, and Schubert’s iconic Winterreise, conceived a decade late
Collaborative Pianism
In the final episode of the 2025/26 season, pianists James Cheung and Anna Tilbrook discuss their musical lives and works.
Both Cheung and Tilbrook have worked as collaborative pianists for singers and instrumentalists. In this conversation, in which the two musicians met for the first time, they discussed their working relationships with other musicians, what it takes to prepare different kind
Beethoven String Quartet Cycles
In June’s podcast episode, Professor Laura Tunbridge speaks to violinist Mark Steinberg about performing Beethoven’s string quartets as a cycle.
Spanning the entirety of the composer’s creative life, Beethoven’s sixteen string quartets are often divided into early, middle and late. In this conversation, Heather Professor of Music at the University of Oxford, Professor Laura Tunbridge, discusses
There is Sweet Music Here: The World of Wigmore Hall
In May’s podcast episode, author Julia Boyd speaks to Ian Skelly about her book, There is Sweet Music Here: The World of Wigmore Hall (Elliott & Thompson, 2026).
Drawing on archival sources and first-hand accounts, the book and their conversation charts the Hall’s extraordinary journey from Edwardian beginnings to the present day.
There is Sweet Music Here: The World of Wigmore Hall will b
Contemporary Music
In April’s podcast episode, composer-performers Héloïse Werner and Errollyn Wallen discuss their approaches to composition, performance, and contemporary music making.
International Women's Day
As March is Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating International Women’s Day with Leah Broad and Katy Hamilton in this month’s podcast. The two writers discuss the values and limitations of this yearly commemoration of women’s fight for equality across all aspects of life, with a focus on music-making.
Women's Voices in the Baroque
In February’s podcast episode, soprano Nardus Williams and lute player Elizabeth Kenny join us to talk about working together on programmes that celebrate baroque women composers, shining a light on their upcoming concert with Mary Beard for International Women’s Day at Wigmore Hall.
The Countertenor
In this month’s podcast episode, countertenors Hugh Cutting and Iestyn Davies discuss finding their voices, musical inspirations, programming, and more.
Both Hugh and Iestyn have residencies at Wigmore Hall this Season, including a weekend-long celebration of John Dowland’s quartercentenary, baroque festivities, and more.
Festive Music Making at Wigmore Hall
In December’s podcast episode, Director of Music at St Paul’s Cathedral and founder of The Cardinall’s Musick Andrew Carwood speaks to broadcaster Ian Skelly about festive music making.
Join Andrew and Ian for a festive podcast special, where they discuss putting together programmes, past and present seasonal concerts at Wigmore Hall, what makes a good carol, and much more.
The Pianos of Wigmore Hall
In this month’s podcast episode, Steinway & Sons’ Director of Concert and Artists services Ulrich Gerhartz introduces the pianos of Wigmore Hall.
Having started looking after the pianos at the Hall in 1996, Ulrich has a long-standing relationship with the two world-renowned instruments and the artists that perform with them, which he talks about in this month’s episode. We were lucky enoug
Rebecca Clarke Focus Day
In October’s podcast episode, Dr Leah Broad, Dr Natasha Loges and mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately discuss the life and music of British composer and violist Rebecca Clarke ahead of a Focus Day at Wigmore Hall this November.
One of the most important composers of her generation, Clarke created around 100 works, but only 20 of these were published in her lifetime. Leah, Natasha and Kitty introduce C
Composer in Residence - Thomas Larcher
In the first podcast episode of the season, Ian Skelly talks to Wigmore Hall’s Composer in Residence for 2025/26, Thomas Larcher.
Born in Innsbruck in 1963, Austrian composer Thomas Larcher is a leading voice in contemporary classical music. Since becoming one of the first composers to grace Wigmore Hall’s ongoing series of commissions in 2007, he has beguiled audiences with some of the finest w
Women of Wigmore
On International Women's Day, our Archivist Emily Woolf explores the trailblazing, influential, unpredictable, and occasionally outrageous women in Wigmore Hall's history.
From Ethel Smyth to Ellen Terry, Yvette Guilbert to Yvonne Arnaud - not to mention dancers, lecturers and the occasional psychic - hear their stories, their words and music, and discover their place in the story of the Hall.
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 33: Piano Sonata in C minor Op. 111
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 32: Piano Sonata in A-flat major Op. 110
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 31: Piano Sonata in E major Op. 109
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 30: Piano Sonata in B-flat major Op. 106 ’Hammerklavier’ (continued)
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 29: Piano Sonata in B-flat major Op. 106 ’Hammerklavier’
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 28: Piano Sonata in A major Op. 101
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 27: Piano Sonata in E minor Op. 90
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 26: Piano Sonata in E-flat major Op. 81a ’Les Adieux’
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 25: Piano Sonata in G major Op. 79
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 24: Piano Sonata in F-sharp major Op. 78
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 23: Piano Sonata in F minor Op. 57 ’Appassionata’
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 22: Piano Sonata in F major Op. 54
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 21: Piano sonata in C major Op. 53 ’Waldstein’
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 20: Piano sonata in E-flat major Op. 31 No. 3
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 19: Piano sonata in D minor Op. 31 No. 2 ’Tempest’
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 18: Piano sonata in G major Op. 31 No. 1
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 17: Piano sonata in D major Op. 28 ’Pastoral’
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 16: Piano sonata in C-sharp minor Op. 27 No. 2 ’Moonlight’
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 15: Piano sonata in E-flat major Op. 27 No. 1
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 14: Piano sonata in A-flat major Op. 26
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 13: Piano Sonata in B-flat major Op. 22
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 12: Piano Sonata in G major Op. 14 No. 2
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 11: Piano Sonata in E major Op. 14 No. 1
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 10: Piano Sonata in G major Op. 49 No. 2
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 9: Piano Sonata in G minor Op. 49 No. 1
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 8: Piano Sonata in C minor Op. 13 ’Pathétique’
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 7: Piano Sonata in D major Op. 10 No. 3
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 6: Piano Sonata in F major Op. 10 No. 2
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 5: Piano Sonata in C minor Op. 10 No. 1
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 4: Piano Sonata in E-flat major Op. 7
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 3: Piano Sonata in C major Op. 2 No. 3
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture-Recitals: 2: Piano Sonata in A major Op. 2 No. 2
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Beethoven Lecture Recitals: 1: Piano Sonata in F minor Op. 2 No. 1
András Schiff last performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall from 2004–6 to overwhelming critical acclaim, with the editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, describing one particular performance as ‘a riveting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory’.
On the day before each of the eight recitals in the series, the world-renowned pianist, pedagogue and lecturer
András Schiff Explores Haydn: 3: Piano sonata No. 62 in E flat major, Hob. XVI:52
‘Haydn was an astounding composer … The world needs to appreciate him much more: of all the really great composers, he is still the most underrated.’
András Schiff in The Guardian
András Schiff explores Haydn’s solo piano works in an exclusive series of lecture-recitals at London's Wigmore Hall. The lectures focus on three works by Haydn, and are available to download as separate MP3s
András Schiff Explores Haydn: 2: Fantasia in C Major ’Capriccio’, Hob. XVII:4
‘Haydn was an astounding composer … The world needs to appreciate him much more: of all the really great composers, he is still the most underrated.’
András Schiff in The Guardian
András Schiff explores Haydn’s solo piano works in an exclusive series of lecture-recitals at London's Wigmore Hall. The lectures focus on three works by Haydn.
András Schiff Explores Haydn: 1: Capriccio ’Acht Sauschneider müssen seyn’ in G major, Hob. XVII:1
‘Haydn was an astounding composer … The world needs to appreciate him much more: of all the really great composers, he is still the most underrated.’
András Schiff in The Guardian
András Schiff explores Haydn’s solo piano works in an exclusive series of lecture-recitals at London's Wigmore Hall. The lectures focus on three works by Haydn.
In My Own Time: Sir Humphrey Burton in conversation with Tasmin Little
In My Own Time: Sir Humphrey Burton in conversation with Tasmin Little
Sir Humphrey Burton is one of Britain's most influential post-war music and arts broadcasters, having worked closely with Leonard Bernstein and Yehudi Menuhin, as well as establishing BBC Young Musician of the Year in 1978. Following the recent publication of his autobiography In My Own Time, Sir Humphrey spoke to the acclai
Beethoven with Jonathan Biss and Sally Beamish
Jonathan Biss is joined by composer Sally Beamish who wrote a piano concerto, City Stanzas for him. Together they discuss how this works responds to Beethoven's music.
Beethoven with Jonathan Biss and Brett Dean
Jonathan Biss is joined by composer and performer Brett Dean to talk about the latest in Biss' Beethoven Piano Sonata cycle series. They discuss the strength of the different characters presented by Beethoven in each of the evening's sonatas, the way he can somehow unite the tension many composers find between expression and technique, and the audience grills the pair about the consequences of Bee
Beethoven with Jonathan Biss & the Belcea Quartet
Jonathan Biss, following the December concert in his Beethoven Piano Sonata Cycle, is joined by Antoine Lederlin and Krzysztof Chorzelski of the Belcea Quartet (who are currently performing the complete Beethoven String Quartets) for a discussion on their programmes. The conversation includes comparisons between the string quartets and piano sonatas, the co-existence of contrasting elements - huma
Of Musicalities and Musical Experience: Vijay Iyer and Georgina Born in conversation
Georgina Born, Professor of Music and Anthropology at Oxford University and Professorial Fellow of Mansfield College, joins Vijay Iyer for an exchange of ideas traversing the arts, the humanities, and the social and natural sciences. The two musician-scholars each give a brief mini-lecture, Iyer on ‘Musicality’ and Born on ‘Musical Experience’, followed by a dialogue considering the intersections
A Life in French Song with Dame Felicity Lott
Bringing together two intertwined stories – a performer’s lifelong passion for the mélodie, and its history at Wigmore Hall.
Dame Felicity Lott shares stories and highlights from her life as a performer and devotee of French song, in conversation with Wigmore Hall’s Archivist Emily Woolf. This unique interview interweaves these recollections with material from our Archive illustrating some of the
Christian Blackshaw on Mozart Revisited
Over the course of four years (excluding 2021) British pianist Christian Blackshaw will be performing the complete cycle of Mozart’s piano sonatas on the composer’s birthday, 27 January. In conversation with music critic and author Jessica Duchen, join Christian to explore the sonatas in this Wigmore Hall podcast.
The pair talk about what makes the cycle of piano sonatas special, how Christian has
Daniel Elphick in conversation with Marc Danel, leader of Quatuor Danel - Part II
The frequently tragic life of the Polish-Jewish-Russian composer Mieczysław Weinberg (1919-1996) did not prevent him from composing prolifically in many forms; important to both his personal life and career was his friendship with Shostakovich, which began during the Second World War and continued until the latter’s death.
Ahead of Quatuor Danel’s two-season survey of Weinberg’s string quartets, M
Daniel Elphick in conversation with Marc Danel, leader of Quatuor Danel - Part I
The frequently tragic life of the Polish-Jewish-Russian composer Mieczysław Weinberg (1919-1996) did not prevent him from composing prolifically in many forms; important to both his personal life and career was his friendship with Shostakovich, which began during the Second World War and continued until the latter’s death.
Ahead of Quatuor Danel’s two-season survey of Weinberg’s string quartets, M
Beethoven with Jonathan Biss
Following each concert in his Beethoven Piano Sonata series, Jonathan Biss will host a post-concert talk in the Hall. On Sunday 29 September, this took the form of a Question & Answer session with the audience.
Led by questions from the auditorium, Jonathan explores the evening concert programme and the development of Beethoven over the decade the performed works span. He discusses how teaching an
Vijay Iyer in conversation with Simon Rentner
Vijay Iyer in conversation with Simon Rentner
Ahead of his 2019/20 Residency, Wigmore Hall’s 2019/20 Composer in Residence Vijay Iyer invites Simon Rentner into his New York home to talk about the different aspects of his residency. Together, the two discuss each of Iyer’s 2019/20 collaborations and how he answers the question of his musical “origin” and heritage. Iyer addresses the concept of im
Francesco Piemontesi explores Schubert with Michael White
Ahead of his Schubert series in 2019/20, pianist Francesco Piemontesi talks to music critic Michael White at Wigmore Hall.
The pair talk about whether Piemontesi, a pianist with a background of multiple nationalities and cultures, considers himself a 'citizen of the world', how he couldn't ever confine himself to any one area of piano music, and the excitement of programming the Ascona Music Festi
Rachel Podger discusses her Wigmore residency with Sara Mohr-Pietsch.
Baroque violinist and orchestral director, Rachel Podger introduces her ensemble Brecon Baroque and discusses her passion for Baroque music with BBC Radio 3 presenter, Sara Mohr-Pietsch.
Since their first concert in 2006, following the Brecon festival, Brecon Baroque has grown from strength to strength. Rachel Podger has drawn upon her past experiences of working with other ensembles including Flo
Women composers at Wigmore Hall - Part 1
Katy Hamilton and Emily Woolf explore the history of women composers at Wigmore Hall.
From the very beginning, works by women have been an integral part of concert programming at Wigmore Hall, and though trends and styles have shifted and changed through the years, there has never been a time when the creative voice of women was not given room on our stage.
Musician, writer and presenter Katy Hami
Women composers at Wigmore Hall - Part 2
Katy Hamilton and Emily Woolf explore the history of women composers at Wigmore Hall.
From the very beginning, works by women have been an integral part of concert programming at Wigmore Hall, and though trends and styles have shifted and changed through the years, there has never been a time when the creative voice of women was not given room on our stage.
Musician, writer and presenter Katy Hami
Jessica Duchen interviews Alexander Melnikov about his Wigmore Hall Residency
The Russian pianist has been an Artist in Residence at Wigmore Hall for the 2018/19 Season.
Novelist and classical music writer Jessica Duchen discusses with Alexander Melnikov the varied and demanding programming behind his residency and adapting his style between fortepiano and modern piano. They take a look back at Melnikov's education, his musical influences and collaborations, including that
In conversation with Jane Glover ‘Handel in London’
Chief Executive of the Royal Philharmonic Society, James Murphy talks to Jane Glover about her latest book ‘Handel in London’
Aged 25, Handel arrived in London in 1710 and transformed the musical scene. Whilst London has changed drastically from then, much has remarkably stayed very similar, conductor Jane Glover discusses this in her acclaimed new book ‘Handel in London’. In this special event, c
Christian Zacharias Lecture-Recital: Why does Schubert sound like Schubert?
‘A pianist of ideas’, as The New Yorker has called him, leading Schubert interpreter Christian Zacharias delves into the great composer’s unique melodic, harmonic and thematic flourishes. Through close examination of these musical hallmarks and idiosyncrasies, he takes us on a journey to the very essence of Schubert’s style.
Gerald Finley in conversation with Sara Mohr-Pietsch
Ahead of his concert with Julius Drake on 15 June, the Canadian baritone Gerald Finley talks about programming, Schubert and Wigmore Hall with music broadcaster Sara Mohr-Pietsch
Together the pair discuss the motivation and inspiration behind programming a song recital and Gerald's nearly decade-long relationship with pianist Julius Drake. Gerald explores his changing perceptions of the Schubert L
Exploring Elliott Carter’s quartets with the JACK Quartet and Tom Service
In April 2019, the JACK Quartet performed a two-concert cycle of the complete string quartets by Elliott Carter, in a lunchtime and evening recital they have been looking forward to with anticipation.
Journalist Tom Service breaks down the music particularly of Carter’s 2nd and 3rd quartets, which form part of the evening concert programme, and 1st quartet which the JACK played at lunchtime. The J
Stéphane Degout in conversation with Richard Stokes
French baritone Stéphane Degout discusses French song, oratorio, opera and gastronomy with Richard Stokes.
Introduction to the String Quartet (Part 4)
The string quartet, a combination of two upper voices, one middle and one lower, gives the composer the minimum requirement for fourpart harmony. This idea of a bare minimum has entranced composers from Haydn – who started it all – right through to the present day, and the attention that so many great composers have given the genre has created an almost unrivalled succession of masterful works; Be
Introduction to the String Quartet (Part 3)
The string quartet, a combination of two upper voices, one middle and one lower, gives the composer the minimum requirement for fourpart harmony. This idea of a bare minimum has entranced composers from Haydn – who started it all – right through to the present day, and the attention that so many great composers have given the genre has created an almost unrivalled succession of masterful works; Be
Introduction to the String Quartet (Part 2)
The string quartet, a combination of two upper voices, one middle and one lower, gives the composer the minimum requirement for fourpart harmony. This idea of a bare minimum has entranced composers from Haydn – who started it all – right through to the present day, and the attention that so many great composers have given the genre has created an almost unrivalled succession of masterful works; Be
Introduction to the String Quartet (Part 1)
The string quartet, a combination of two upper voices, one middle and one lower, gives the composer the minimum requirement for fourpart harmony. This idea of a bare minimum has entranced composers from Haydn – who started it all – right through to the present day, and the attention that so many great composers have given the genre has created an almost unrivalled succession of masterful works; Be
Dame Emma Kirkby discusses her career with Jessica Duchen
Ahead of her 70th Birthday Concert at Wigmore Hall, Dame Emma discusses chamber music and her career with Jessica Duchen.
She will perform at the Hall on Thursday 28 February alongside long-term musical associates as well as a younger generation of artists she believes will play an important role in the future of early music.
Dame Sarah Connolly in conversation with Katy Hamilton
Appointed Dame Commander of the British Empire in 2017, Dame Sarah Connolly has maintained a standard of excellence in the opera house as in concert and recital halls. With a repertoire ranging from the Baroque masters through bel canto, Wagner and Elgar to new works, she continues to explore a wide variety of music with dedication and unique interpretative skills.
Lionel Meunier shares his experience as artistic director and founder of Vox Luminis ahead of his residency at Wigmore Hall.
Founded in 2004 by singer, musician and conductor Lionel Meunier, the Belgian vocal ensemble has acquired a wide reputation for its specialist programming realised to a standard of creative imagination that places it at the forefront of such groups today, drawing on rigorous historical research to achieve music-making of prodigious vitality.
Jonathan Plowright in conversation with Yehuda Shapiro
As he embarks this December on Brahms Plus, a series of six Wigmore Hall recitals running to July 2020, Jonathan Plowright is ready to challenge any received wisdom about ‘heaviness’ or even ‘stodginess’ in Brahms’ piano music. He discusses his series with Yehuda Shapiro.
Robin Tritschler: The Seasons – In Conversation with John Gilhooly
Robin Tritschler is a questioning artist who deeply explores whatever he sings, and conveys his discoveries with eloquence, the Irish tenor has selected The Seasons as the overall theme of his series at Wigmore Hall, exploring winter, spring and summer through the creative minds of some of the greatest Lieder poets and composers.
John Gilhooly, Director of Wigmore Hall, speaks with Robin about h
