Author: jeremy chan
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Martín García García at Westminster Cathedral Hall for the Fryderyk Chopin Institute
This afternoon I was invited to a promotional event put on jointly by the Chopin Society UK and the Fredyryk Chopin Institute of Poland during which I got to hear Martín García García, 3rd Prize Winner of the most recent Chopin Competition, perform an hour-long all-Chopin recital. I had wanted to hear Martín play for…
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“Waiting for Godot”, a brilliant way to pass the time
How does one sit through a three-hour play about, well, nothing? The answer lies at Theatre Royal Haymarket, in James McDonald’s production of Samuel Beckett’s play “Waiting for Godot” starring Ben Whishaw and Lucian Msamati. I had studied Beckett’s play many years ago when I was studying literature at Durham, but to see it live…
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“King Lear”, but make it Korean and Changgeuk
There could not be a more perfect place to witness the fusion of two very different cultural heritages than London. Home to the famous Shakespeare’s Globe and now a melting pot of different cultures, it is the perfect place for the National Changgeuk Company of Korea to stage their production of “Lear”, their take on…
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Review: Dmitri Alexeev at the Penderecki European Centre for Music
On Tuesday evening I had the great fortune of hearing a recital the likes of which are rare–if even possible–to hear in concert halls today. Dmitri Alexeev, in a rare public appearance, performed three Chopin nocturnes followed by Rachmaninoff’s monumental First Piano Sonata. I say public; it was still a rather exclusive event. I am…
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Review: Karin Miura at St. James’s Piccadilly
Braving the incessant drizzle that seemed a dreary premonition of what’s to come in the UK in less than a month, I dodged all the Saturday Piccadilly promenaders and stepped into St. James’s Church for Karin Miura’s lunchtime recital. Nestled amongst Hatchard’s, Fortnum and Mason and other landmark British establishments along Piccadilly, St. James’s Church…
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Review: Steven Isserlis, Charles Owen and Irène Duval at Fidelio Café
The trio brought a diverse programme that fitted the cosy and intimate setting of Fidelio Café in Clerkenwell to a tee yesterday. The small café looking out on the bustling Farringdon Road was packed with diners yesterday as they eagerly awaited the trio. At Fidelio you get the unique experience of exquisite piano music juxtaposed…
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Proms 27 Review: Saariaho, Seong Jin Cho and Strauss
Yesterday was my first time back at the BBC Proms this year, the annual summer classical music festival hosted by the UK’s official radio station at the Royal Albert Hall. It’s always nice to see classical music being performed in less formal settings, and the BBC have done well in their programming, introducing new music…
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Restaurant review: Omakase at Sushi Yorokobu Bangkok
My first Omakase experience was had—funnily enough—in Thailand! As you would NOT expect, there is a lot of high-quality Japanese food to be found in this tropical country, particularly in its capital, Bangkok. Izakayas with brightly coloured neon signs line the streets boasting promotional discounts on Asahi and grilled scallops, while every third restaurant in…
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Standing ovation for Angela Hewitt’s Goldberg Variations
I have long adored Angela Hewitt’s Hyperion recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations but have never been able to see her perform it live, so when Gerald Finley cancelled their Wigmore lieder recital and Angela pulled out the Goldberg Variations as a substitute, I considered it a happy misfortune. Once again, a completely packed Wigmore Hall…
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The Yuja Wang Phenomenon at Royal Festival Hall
Programme: Barber: Piano Sonata in E flat minor, Op.26 Shostakovich: Prelude and Fugue in A minor, Op.87 No.2; Prelude in G sharp minor, Op.34 No.12; Prelude in C sharp minor, Op.34 No.10; Prelude and Fugue in F sharp minor, Op.87 No.8; Prelude in D minor, Op.34 No.24; Prelude in D, Op.34 No.5; Prelude in B flat minor, Op.34 No.16; Prelude and Fugue in D…
Literally Left-handed 