Over the course of four years (excluding 2021) British pianist Christian Blackshaw will be performing the complete cycle of Mozart’s piano sonatas on the composer’s birthday, 27 January. In conversation with music critic and author Jessica Duchen, join Christian to explore the sonatas in this Wigmore Hall podcast.

The pair talk about what makes the cycle of piano sonatas special, how Christian has developed his programmes, and how much he feels the importance of being able to communicate Mozart’s spirit in the music (period instrument or not). We fantasise about how Mozart’s life and musical relationships might have been had the composer lived to 70 years old or more, and the musical reflections of tragedy following his mother’s death in Paris.