Work: Années de pèlerinage, Deuxième année, Italie: Après une lecture du Dante. Fantasia quasi sonata, S.161 no.7

Heavenly strings and Hellish piano from the Belcea Quartet and their celebrity guests in Crail as the 2023 East Neuk Festival begins.

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. 

To be dubbed “Liszt reincarnate” could be a mixed blessing for a young pianist. But there were moments here the Abbé himself would have treasured.

An evening in which the piano – in some cases two, in others three – took centre-stage with members of the Osokins family.

Italy viewed through the eyes of a Russian tourist, of visiting Europeans reading Dante and through the eyes of South American emigrées, with added tango.