Wigmore Hall exacerbates the Dry January Blues with an icy, bare-souled stroll through Schubert’s Winterreise.

Schubert was famously so overwhelmed with depression while composing Winterreise that, having invited his friends over to hear its première performance, he failed to turn up. When he eventually pulled himself together enough to physically perform the songs, some months later, his friends didn’t like them much. And indeed, though they have moments of exquisite beauty, these songs are not altogether meant to be liked; but they are profoundly moving, and at London’s Wigmore Hall Gerald Finley gave a magnificent performance, accompanied with great skill by Julius Drake.

Click here to read my full review on Bachtrack.

Pass the brandy… Where’s the St Bernard?