Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | English | Ballade no. 2 in F major, Op.38

Yuja Wang stuns the Gilmore Festival audience with a formidable program of Messiaen, Debussy, Scriabin, and Chopin – and a generous selection of encores.

A packed house and an anticipatory buzz greet Boris Giltburg in a programme ranging from poetic Chopin to grisly Ravel.

In a world where the interpretations of various pianists become indistinguishable, Debargue displays character in a recital which includes two towering, lyricism-imbued expressions of virtuosity. 

Ukrainian pianist Anna Fedorova gave compelling performances of Chopin’s profound Ballades and intricate Waltzes, full of intensity, dreaminess and frenzy.

A risk-averse approach ruined the dramatic spontaneity of the Ballades but the 24 Preludes in the second half were much more convincing. 

An excellent second half performance of Chopin's Four Ballades is preceded by an interpretation of waltzes and études that often lacks nuance of phrasing and dynamics.

Having watched the web live-stream of Seong-Jin Cho’s performances at last year’s Chopin Competition and subsequently listened to the live CD as well, I already had a fair idea of his playing.

Manchester audiences hand out standing ovations once in a blue moon, but that which followed Lang Lang’s Mozart and Chopin programme tonight was the loudest and longest I have seen, after the brilliant Chinese pianist thrilled and delighted a sold-out Bridgewater Hall.

Canadian pianist Janina Fialkowska has Polish blood in her veins (her father is Polish), and she was described by her pianistic idol, Arthur Rubinstein, as “a natural born Chopin interpreter”. This assertion was more than confirmed by a carefully executed and beautifully nuanced lunchtime concert of music by Fryderyk Chopin at London’s Wigmore Hall.

The first lunchtime concert of the Wigmore Hall’s autumn season featured young French pianist Lise de la Salle. With her 'glamour model' looks, Lise de la Salle could easily be dismissed as a “piano babe”, but at only 23, she is already making a name for herself, particularly through her recording of first concertos of Liszt, Prokofiev and Shostakovich.

London’s Wigmore Hall, famous for its elegant concert hall and outstanding acoustics, has become synonymous with exceptional piano music. Having played host to a number of celebrated performers and composers, from Arthur Rubinstein to Saint-Saëns, Benjamin Britten to Joshua Bell, Wigmore Hall also ushers in today’s latest classical stars.One such star is Boris Giltburg.