MATTHEW HAWKINS applauds a psychotherapist’s disection of William Blake

BACH’S Goldberg Variations present a daunting challenge to artists of any calibre. A keyboard legend in the classical repertoire, one of its major tasks is marrying the intimidating intellectual demands of the work with the need for the player to find their own interpretation.
Now London-based, Siberian-born pianist Pavel Kolesnikov was a student of Moscow State Conservatory, London’s Royal College of Music and Brussels Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel. He was a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist from 2014 to 2016 and his albums to date include works by Frederic Chopin, Ludwig Van Beethoven and Louis Couperin.
As well as matching the holy with the worldly, Kolesnikov performs Bach’s masterpiece with all the precision of a luxury Swiss watch, combining a powerful inner passion and heightened meditative power.

This is a concert of ambition and courage by organist and improviser Wayne Marshall, says SIMON DUFF

SIMON DUFF recommends an outstanding album of choral works that range from the 12th century to the present day

New releases from Nazar, Peter Gregson and Mesias Maiguashca

SIMON DUFF recommends a new album from renowned composer and oud player Anour Brahem.