The History of Wigmore Hall

Sandy Burnett presents a podcast from Wigmore Hall, in conversation with:

• Paula Best – Head of Publications and Archive at the Hall who gives a tour of the artists remembered through photographs in the Gerald Moore Room
• John Gilhooly – current Director, talks about how he has overseen the financial and administrative transformation of the Hall. This includes the 2004 £3.1m refurbishment and purchase of the long-term tenure of the Hall for £3.1m in 2006, as well as recent artistic and recording projects.
• William Lyne – for 37 years was Director of the Hall, overseeing times of great change for the Hall and for London’s concert scene, and reminiscing about favourite recitals during that period.
• Graham Johnson - from his perspective as a regular artist at the Hall for 40 years, and as creator of the Songmaker’s Almanac.
• Hilary Finch – Times critic and regular reviewer at the Hall, describes why Wigmore Hall is such a special place for performer and audience alike.

Listen / Download

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Music Clips

1. Nellie Melba 'Lo, Here the gentle Lark!' by Edouard Lalo (Naxos Historical)
2. Jessye Norman 'He's got the whole workd in His hands,' Trad. Spiritual.
   Jessye Norman recordings appear courtesy of Decca Music Group
3. András Schiff Bach Goldberg Variations
   Andras Schiff recordings appear courtesy of Decca Music Group
4. Songmakers Almanac Schubertiade – Songmakers Almanac with Dame Felicity Lott, Ann Murray DBE, Anthony Rolfe-Johnson, Richard Jackson, Graham Johnson, courtesy of Hyperion Records
5. Shura Cherkassky – Haydn Piano Sonata E minor HXVI:34 from – WHLive0014
6. Matthias Goerne & Alfred Brendel, Schubert Winterreise
   Matthias Goerne & Alfred Brendel appear courtesy of Decca Music Group
7. Opening and closing music – Mendelssohn Octet – from WHLive0017