Florian Boesch, Justus Zeyen, Wigmore Hall review - power, intimacy and atmosphere

The Austrian baritone is an imposing presence, but expressive and sensual too

Florian Boesch is a big man. He’s tall, stocky, and with his bald head and stubble could seem more like a gangster than a Lieder singer. His voice is beautiful, but it matches his appearance – big, weighty and imposing. He has subtlety too, though it is sometimes hard-won, and his affinity with the core Romantic repertoire is always apparent, so this programme, of Schubert, Wolf and Schumann was well chosen to showcase his strengths.

'Their DNA is forever ingrained in the keys' - Roman Rabinovich on playing composers' own pianos

ROMAN RABINOVICH ON PLAYING COMPOSERS' PIANOS 'Their DNA is ingrained in the keys'

Cobbe Collection revelations compared with the same works on a modern Steinway

I was recently in the UK for some solo recitals and to make my debut with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. One of the highlights of the trip was playing a similar programme in two very different settings: first on some magnificent period instruments and then a week later on a modern Steinway piano at Wigmore Hall. Having never before performed publicly on historical instruments, my recital at the Cobbe Collection at Hatchlands Park in Surrey felt like a complete experiment.

Angela Hewitt, Wigmore Hall review – Bach Partitas shine and sing

★★★★ ANGELA HEWITT, WIGMORE HALL Bach Partitas shine and sing

Piano recital of unassuming mastery speaks deep musical truths

On paper this was a fairly austere piece of programming. No variety in composer, genre or style, just four Bach Partitas in a row, works of similar approach, length and technique. And yet in performance, in the hands of Angela Hewitt, there was sufficient variety, not to mention poetry, humanity and wit, to make for a completely satisfying recital.

Anne Schwanewilms, Charles Spencer, Wigmore Hall review - going deep in Schubert

ANNE SCHWANEWILMS, CHARLES SPENCER A Lieder masterclass at Wigmore Hall

The great soprano and her regular pianist give a masterclass in Lieder

They say that Wigmore Hall audiences know their Lieder singers, but last night's far from packed house dispelled that illusion; the hall has been full for much lesser artists than German soprano Anne Schwanewilms. No matter; she gave her usual masterclass, ineffably poised between tone-colour, phrasing and word-pointing.

Ke Ma, Wigmore Hall review - a debut of distinction

A showcase for a young pianist, but Chopin's the jewel

The turnout in the Wigmore’s Kirckman series of young-artist showcases was unusually high for this 23-year-old Chinese pianist. With the Op. 28 Preludes of Chopin, it became clear that many of the audience had known what they were waiting for. Up to that point, Ke Ma had given the impression of another young Brahms-and-Prokofiev virtuoso.

Ensemble InterContemporain, Wigmore Hall

★★★ ENSEMBLE INTERCONTEMPORAIN, WIGMORE HALL Eccentricity inspires colour, nuance and slapstick from young composer Matteo Franceschini

Eccentricity inspires colour, nuance and slapstick from young composer Matteo Franceschini

The Paris-based Ensemble InterContemporain brought a wide-ranging programme to the Wigmore Hall.

Lise Davidsen, James Baillieu, Wigmore Hall

★★★★ LISE DAVIDSEN, WIGMORE HALL Thrilling recital from serious dramatic soprano in the making

A thrilling UK recital debut from Norway's brightest singing talent

Few young singers make a UK recital debut like Lise Davidsen’s. But then, few singers come to that debut with such a weight of reputation and expectation. Taking not only the First Prize but also the Audience Prize and Birgit Nilsson Awards at 2015’s Operalia competition, established the then 28-year-old Norwegian soprano as one to watch.

Hagen Quartet, Wigmore Hall

★★★★ HAGEN QUARTET, WIGMORE HALL Direct and focussed readings shine new light on Schubert and Beethoven

Direct and focussed readings shine new light on Schubert and Beethoven

The Hagen Quartet has been playing together for decades, and it shows. The group, which includes three siblings, performs with a deep and intuitive sense of unity: of timbre, technique, articulation and intent. Where most quartets are clearly led by the first violin, the Hagens move as one, the motivation coming simultaneously from each player. They put this finely honed ensemble to the service of emotive performances, but also retain a sense of intimacy and proportion.

Janina Fialkowska, Wigmore Hall

★★★★ JANINA FIALKOWSKA, WIGMORE HALL Sensitive and supple readings get to the heart of Chopin

Sensitive and supple readings get to the heart of Chopin

You wouldn’t guess it from her name, but Janina Fialkowska isn’t actually Polish. You wouldn’t guess from her Chopin either, which is sensitive and supple, always emotive and deeply idiomatic.