christine webber

JS Bach's St Matthew Passion premiered otd 1729 - how overwhelming that must have been! The breathtaking emotional power of the first and last choruses, with seemingly every shade of sorrow in between; and the almost unbearably moving compassion of Ebarme dich. Life-changing...

The victory of the opposition in Hungary yesterday, like the Polish election in 2023, is a victory for democracy, not just in Europe but around the world. Most of all, it’s a testament to the resilience and determination of the Hungarian people – and a reminder to all of us to keep striving for fairness, equality and the rule of law.

Morning, all. Wishing you a happy Monday and a great week.

Morning, all. Wishing you a happy Bank Holiday Monday and a great week.

Morning, all. A sunny Monday here. Lovely. Hope your weather is being kind and that you have a great week.

Mstislav Rostropovich - 'Slava' - would have been 99 today! A phenomenon. He did more for the cello than anyone has ever done for any instrument - thank you, Slava! "When I started learning the cello, I fell in love with the instrument because it seemed like a voice - my voice."

if you are in London at lunchtime on April 29th I am @wigmore_hall with @bbcpaddy. Tickets free ….

Morning, all. Happy Monday and have a great week.

Morning, all. It's a delightful weather-start to the day here. I hope you can say the same. Enjoy your week.

Morning, all. Hope you're doing OK, and very much hope you'll have a good week.

Richard Hickox would have been just 78 today - still much-missed. His almost child-like enthusiasm, unflagging energy and unfailing good nature made it a joy to work, and to spend time, with him. And he did so much for British music! A truly lovely man, who left us too soon...

I’m deeply honoured to receive the Royal Television Society 2026 Special Award. Thank you RTS and many thanks to the great BBC team in Moscow. @RTS_media

Wishing the bass Robert Lloyd a very happy 86th birthday!

They have the feeling! Thank you Steve

Morning, all. A lovely, sunny Monday. Hope the same is true for you. Have a great week.

Back to playing this masterpiece by Antonin Dvorak! We are performing today with fantastic Evan Alexis Christ and the orchestra of Theater Kiel in the newly renovated Konzerthaus am Schloss in Kiel as part of my residency with Musikfreunde Kiel

@RRussellDavies I can imagine.

@1chriswebber Yes, and letters, reviews and all sorts. It was fascinating to hear two excellent renderings of KW 's voice intertwining, though the very last anguished diary entry before his death was taken by Madeline, which had an extraordinarily moving effect. Emotionally exhausted today!

Knockout afternoon today at the Jermyn Street Theatre with the Kenneth Williams Centenary Celebration. Two Kenneths - Simon Cartwright & author Mark Farrelly, narration and incidental voices by Madeline Smith & me. Two shows as well - a big day for KW. Real laughter, real tears.

Such a generous ‘story’, and written with deft beauty. Calming to read; wise and affectionate, and now almost other-worldly; elegiac but never sentimental. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⁦⁦@HodderBooks⁩ ⁦@SceptreBooks⁩

Morning, all. A dry Monday so far. Praise be! As Thora Hird would have said. Have a good week.