Wigmore Hall Podcasts

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; Beethoven’s seventeen quartets acting almost as benchmarks, with Schubert, Brahms, Bartók and Shostakovich pitching in too.

In this four-part podcast, Roy Stratford to explores how the string quartet has adapted to changing musical styles and become arguably the most significant and fertile chamber music combination.

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; Beethoven’s seventeen quartets acting almost as benchmarks, with Schubert, Brahms, Bartók and Shostakovich pitching in too.

In this four-part podcast, Roy Stratford to explores how the string quartet has adapted to changing musical styles and become arguably the most significant and fertile chamber music combination.

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 his current Residency, and his career so far.

Mahan Esfahani discusses his Bach Series

Since making his London debut in 2009, Mahan Esfahani has made giant strides to bring the harpsichord to the forefront of concert life. His Series explores Bach’s works for harpsichord, which opened with the Goldberg Variations, a masterpiece of great virtuosity, beauty and vast inventive range written for a two-manual harpsichord in 1741.
The second volume of Bach’s Keyboard Exercises consist of a solo concerto modelled on Italian examples and an overture emulating suites by his French contemporaries. Preceding these is the first of the four solo keyboard ‘duets’ from volume II.
Ahead of his concert at Wigmore Hall on 1 October, Mahan Esfahani discusses his Bach Series with us.

Django Bates in conversation with Mike Flynn

Ahead of his concert at Wigmore Hall on 9 June, Django Bates spoke to Mike Flynn, Editor of Jazzwise Magazine. Django discusses his creative process for the Belovèd Trio, his collaborations with vocalist Claire Huguenin and saxophonist Marius Neset, and plans for the future.

Seven Ages Festival: Discussion Panel - Parenthood

Wigmore Hall Composer in Residence Helen Grime and writer Fiona Benson are joined by flautist Daniel Parkin to discuss the topic of parenthood, how it has inspired the world première of Bright Travellers, and how that in turn sparked an innovative new Wigmore Hall Learning project for 0-5 year-olds and their parents and carers.