In 1808 the composer and violinist Louis Spohr was invited to a rehearsal in Beethoven's house of the D Major Piano Trio, Opus 70, No.1 known as The Ghost, and wrote of the occasion: "It was not an enjoyable experience. First of all the piano was…

This is a filmed record of Pinchas Zukerman’s first concert in Munich as both soloist and conductor. This is the concert, which provided two sequences for the film Pinchas Zukerman: Here to Make Music. Pinchas Zukerman was drawn into conducting by…

Two Bach Partitas filmed live at a BBC Radio Lunch Time Concert in St John’s, Smith Square, London.

On 9th of July 2001, Evgeny Kissin played a truly memorable piano recital in the old Roman theatre at Orange in the south of France, as part of the Chorégies d'Orange Summer Festival and although it rained, twice, in the two hours before it began, he…

On 17 July 1986, Nathan Milstein played his last public recital in the Berwaldhallen in Stockholm. The recital included the Bach Chaconne, one of the towering masterpieces of Western music and one of the most difficult to do justice to. Milstein was…

1970 was the 200th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth and, to mark the occasion, Daniel Barenboim and Christopher Nupen collaborated on a thirteen-part series about the man and his music. Close friends at the time, Barenboim as artist and…

Roman Zaslavsky is a master of piano technique that espouses nuance without resorting to arbitrary mannerisms. He first gained recognition by taking 1st prize - the Primer Gran Premio - at the José Iturbi International Music Competition in Valencia…

In the historic Weimar Herder Church Sir John Eliot Gardiner finds the perfect setting for his recording of the Bach Christmas Oratorio. Against the backdrop of the dramatic altar and Lucas Granach paintings, the Monteverdi Choir and the English…

An undisputed master of the lied, Schubert was also highly prolific in the chamber repertoire. Although an accomplished violinist, Schubert composed only a few pieces for violin and piano. The sonatines are early works. Nine years later, he composed…

Eugène Ysaÿe (1858-1931) was not only one of the greatest violinists of his time, he was also a composer, conductor and teacher. What's more, great composers inspired him. And in turn, his exceptional artistry inspired them to create exceptional…