Wigmore Hall Podcasts

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.

Recorded live before his performances of Bach solo violin works at Wigmore Hall in November 2017, James Ehnes spoke to Clemency Burton-Hill about life on the road, his approach to performing different composers and his plans for the future.

In the 2017/18 season, Wigmore Hall’s Haydn String Quartet Series showcases the full range of the composer’s invention, from the early Op. 20s to his late masterworks of the 1790s.

In this two-part podcast, David Owen Norris explores the great craft of Haydn’s compositions and finds out from special guest Oliver Heath (first violinist of the Heath Quartet) what it’s like to play them.

Challenged by John Gilhooly, Director of Wigmore Hall to perform Schubert’s three great song cycles for the first time in his career, Roderick Williams embarks on a journey through vast emotional landscapes and diverse spiritual states together with his long-standing duo partner, Iain Burnside.

But what challenges do they face? How can they escape the ghosts of the past?

Ahead of their performance of Die schöne Müllerin, Roderick Williams and Iain Burnside discuss their journey so far.

Marking 300 years since the birth of Maria Theresia, H.E. Dr Martin Eichtinger, Austrian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, explores the unique history and revolutionary vision of the only female ruler in Habsburg history.

Highlighting the achievements and extraordinary legacy of this self-styled ‘mother of her nation’, Ambassador Eichtinger uncovers the cultural context of Maria Theresia’s reign and the myths which have developed around her.

Part 2 of 2

The Castalian String Quartet is fast emerging as one of the most exciting new voices in chamber music, having won prizes at major international competitions such as the 2016 Banff International Quartet Competition, 2015 Lyon International Competition, and 2013 Kammermusik Hannover Next Generation Competition.
 
But what is it like to be part of a string quartet? To what extent is it, as Goethe said, ‘a stimulating conversation between four intelligent people’ and what are the challenges of life as a chamber musician?  
 
Ahead of their performance in the opening Coffee Concert of the 2017/18 season, Director of Wigmore Hall John Gilhooly spoke to the Castalian Quartet to find out more.

Part 1 of 2

The Castalian String Quartet is fast emerging as one of the most exciting new voices in chamber music, having won prizes at major international competitions such as the 2016 Banff International Quartet Competition, 2015 Lyon International Competition, and 2013 Kammermusik Hannover Next Generation Competition.
 
But what is it like to be part of a string quartet? To what extent is it, as Goethe said, ‘a stimulating conversation between four intelligent people’ and what are the challenges of life as a chamber musician?  
 
Ahead of their performance in the opening Coffee Concert of the 2017/18 season, Director of Wigmore Hall John Gilhooly spoke to the Castalian Quartet to find out more.

On Saturday 6 December 2014, Mark-Anthony Turnage’s work for string quartet, Contusion, was premièred by the Belcea Quartet.

Contusion was the compulsory piece for the 2015 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition, and was played by each competing quartet during the Preliminary Round.

Mark-Anthony Turnage was interviewed before the première about his new work by Christopher Cook, leading music broadcaster, lecturer and critic.