Jean-Guihen Queryas & Friends, Wigmore Hall

When he became this year’s Artist in Residence at Wigmore Hall, French cellist Jean Guihen Queyras had little to prove about his own progress. His recordings –which stretch through the repertoire from Bach to Ligeti – are universally respected, and his concert appearances draw huge crowds. He is quite clearly one of the world’s finest cellists. What we have learnt about Queryas is how acute and generous a collaborator he is.
For his late spring appearance, Queryas will be joined by a trio of world-class musicians. The line-up includes violinist Lisa Batiashvili, one of the original BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists and a player of international repute; violist Antoine Tamestit, who boasts an enviable string of competition wins; and pianist Jonathan Biss, an avid performer famous for his single composer series. For the first half of the programme, he will serve as an accompanist for a string soloist.
The focus of this recital will be Robert Schumann, the perennial Wigmore favourite. The night begins with his Three Romances (1849), originally written for piano and oboe but here transcribe for violin. It will be followed by the Duo for violin and cello (1927) by Bohuslav Martinu, the finest Czech composer after Janacek, before the viola takes centre play in Schumann’s fantastical Märchenbuilder (1851).
After the interval, the four will unite for Schumann’s Piano Quartet (1842). One of the most popular such works in the repertoire, it is a feat of momentum, alternating passages of abandon with recurring moments of contemplation. As with much romantic music, the spectres of Beethoven and Schubert hover behind, but Schumann’s genius for light and shade gives it a distinctive character.
At 6pm on the evening of the concert, Queryas will appear in conversation with John Gilhoody, Wigmore Hall’s director. Tickets to this event are £4.
Priority booking for Wigmore Hall’s Summer season is now open. General booking opens on 5 February.