Performer: Sir Stephen Hough

On a return visit to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, John Wilson shapes A London Symphony with melancholy sweep. 

Elim Chan expertly conducts the SSO through a varied programme featuring an Australian fanfare, Russian ballet music and Brahms' First Piano Concerto with Sir Stephen Hough. 

Vanessa Latarche, professor of Piano at the Royal College of Music and chair of Hastings’ jury, talks about what makes the competition special, working with Sir Stephen Hough, and being a stickler for fairness.

With acclaimed international pianists including Trifonov, Hough, Liseicki and violinists Faust and Hadelich, Reykjavik residents and visitors won't be short of concerti – but the season has plenty more.

Daniel Barenboim et son facteur belge fétiche, un piano chinois en finale du Concours Tchaïkovski... Pourquoi entend-on autant de pianos différents aujourd'hui ? Notre chroniqueur explore l'histoire de l'instrument et donne des éléments de réponse.