Harlots, BBC Two review – sublime, ridiculous, and always entertaining

★★★★ HARLOTS, BBC TWO Samantha Morton and Danny Sapani ground third series of madcap brothel drama

Samantha Morton and Danny Sapani ground third series of madcap brothel drama

Back to Georgian brothels, now – at least, for those of us who don’t have a Hulu subscription. The BBC’s airing of the second series of Harlots over the summer felt strangely timely. Barely an episode in and an angry crowd was hammering at the local judge’s door, demanding justice after the needless death of one of the city’s poorest residents.

Pavel Kolesnikov, Wigmore Hall review - the stuff of dreams

★★★★★ PAVEL KOLESNIKOV A Wigmore Hall recital that's the stuff of dreams

A breathtaking recital from the Russian pianist, plus a special prize

To plan a programme around The Tempest, its symbolism and the idea of evanescence, the fragility of the human condition, is one thing. To pull it off convincingly is quite another. The young Russian pianist Pavel Kolesnikov not only did so in his Wigmore Hall recital on Monday night, but offered an evening so profoundly touching that it seemed at times to inhabit Prospero’s magic island, plus some. 

Tasmin Little Farewell Recital, RFH review - memories, tributes and dreams

★★★★★ TASMIN LITTLE Last recital at Southbank sparks memories, tributes, dreams

The violinist partnered by four pianists in an event to remember

Bidding farewell to the Royal Festival Hall, Tasmin Little was at the very peak of her powers. It’s almost unthinkable that we will never see her play here again. Many have hoped that she’d be one of those musicians who announce their retirement only to be back for one last time…and another… but Little is a genuine soul who has always said what she means and meant what she says. And she says that that really is that. 

Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, Sode, Chineke! Orchestra, Edusei, RFH review - protest, passion and joy

★★★★ JENEBA KANNEH-MASON, SODE, CHINEKE! ORCHESTRA, EDUSEI, RFH Protest, passion and joy

The new, the rediscovered and the familiar rub (distanced) shoulders

During the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in London earlier this year, a black man named Patrick Hutchinson hoisted over his shoulder an injured white man from the counter-protest of the English Defence League and carried him to safety. The photographs made headlines. The incident took place just outside the artists’ entrance of the Royal Festival Hall

Ronnie's review – fascinating story of the fabled Soho jazz club

★★★★ RONNIE'S Fascinating story of the fabled Soho jazz club

Oliver Murray's film is packed with great music and revealing interviews

Ronnie Scott was a remarkable man: “Jazz Musician, Club Proprietor, Raconteur and Wit, he was the leader of our generation,” reads the memorial to him at Golders Green Crematorium. Oliver Murray’s documentary film Ronnie’s is an affectionate and portrait of him and of the jazz club he founded.

Stephen Kovacevich, Wigmore Hall review - a sublime birthday treat

★★★★ STEPHEN KOVACEVICH, WIGMORE HALL A sublime birthday treat

The great American pianist celebrates his 80th at a favourite venue

What do you want to do on your 80th birthday? Well, playing two of your favourite pieces of music at the Wigmore Hall is not a bad option. To celebrate his big day, Stephen Kovacevich returned to the scene of many of his triumphs since 1961, chose the Bach Partita No.

Cooper, Aurora Orchestra, Kings Place review - a heartwarming delight

★★★★★ IMOGEN COOPER, AURORA ORCHESTRA, KINGS PLACE A heartwarming delight

Chamber version of Mozart concerto reveals unexpected pleasures

Rarely have I seen so many smiles on stage as at Kings Place on Saturday. The combination of the delight of the performers being back in their natural environment with the genial and generous-spirited music they were playing brought out the best in everyone.

Blu-ray: Yield to the Night

★★★★ YIELD TO THE NIGHT Diana Dors shines in classic British noir

Diana Dors shines in a sombre British noir

Released in 1956, J. Lee Thompson’s Yield to the Night is remembered by many for what it isn’t, namely a fictional retelling of the events leading to Ruth Ellis’s execution in 1955. Mike Newell’s Dance with a Stranger told that story in 1985 with Miranda Richardson in the lead role. Thompson’s star, Diana Dors, stated that the film "wasn’t about Ruth Ellis at all.