Concert Reviews


“Why is Patrick Hemmerle not better known? Actually I booked him for the Club, remembering a phone call from a friend of his a year ago, so I was aware he existed. A cancellation happened and within hours he was booked for 3 days ahead. We had the 4 Chopin Ballades followed by 4 paraphrases/transcriptions from opera. Did this concert redefine “Tour de force”? I think so. The audience reaction was, for a classical concert, as wildly enthusiastic as I have seen in my 17 years at the Club and no exaggeration. He also speaks fluently and informatively when required. Music clubs try to seek out young artists or interesting artists who lie slightly in the shadows, unlike a very few high profile musicians who make the top grade and whose fee is beyond music clubs. Patrick has immense ability and should be far better known – and of course he is going to return to Rhyl and soon. What a find!”  

Concert Organiser, Rhyl Music Club, October 2023 


“What a smashing fellow and his performance was stunning. There were some very knowledgable and competent pianists in the audience and they, like everyone else, thought Patrick’s recital was exceptional. He is of course ,very high on our list”  

Director, The Medieval Hall, Salisbury, October 2023


“It went extremely well, and everyone loved the recital. 
I have spoken with Patrick about him coming back next Season around Autumn 2024 and doing a performance with Masterclass. 
I have received a lot of feed-back from members who were very impressed.  It was a wonderful evening and everyone was happy.   We will definitely be having him back.”  

Louise Russell, Bognor Regis Music Club, October 2023 


“ Patrick’s concert was a great success and lots of people have been writing today to say how much they enjoyed it. He is a brilliant and engaging performer……I’d certainly like Patrick to play for us again before too long”  

Tristram Cary, Winchfield, October 2023 


“Patrick is unusual.  He seemed in his characterful and exhilarating playing, to wilfully exist on the creative fringes of the only just possible and to set up a musical momentum that shared his experience of timeless, irresistible passion with his mesmerised, appreciative audience.”
Stella Seaton-Sims


“Such was the superb stylistic and commanding performance of the Chopin Studies today I would have sworn it was Guiomar Novaes, Nikita Magaloff or Nelson Friere instead of a certain Monsieur Hemmerlé ! …
Completely bowled over by the beauty and totally absorbing musicality I was not even aware of the transcendental difficulty of these revolutionary pieces for piano….
What can one say. I am tempted to use Schumann’s own words on the first appearance of Chopin in Paris: ‘Hats off gentlemen a genius’.”
JCG, Keswick
 

“You see miracles can happen and today in Perivale it certainly did!
…overwhelming passion that I have only once heard from another pianist.That pianist was Annie Fischer and it has remained with me for over 30 years as I am sure the recital today will too.”
Christopher Axworthy
 

“One cannot only be amazed at the technique of this young pianist, his stamina and his musical memory as he performed for over one and a half hours without music and without a stumble. Though, like all the audience I was in awe of his technical accomplishment, it was the moments of repose that stood out for me as Hemmerlé delicately controlled the piano creating a warmth of tone and beauty. The 24th Variation (Fughetta) in the Beethoven and the third “Etude” by Chopin were quite sublime and I didn’t want them to end.”
JCG, Keswick


“Hemmerlé began the evening with Debussy’s Préludes whose exquisite imagism he beautifully transmitted throughout the entire recital…Versatility was never in question either from a spellbinding diminuendo in movement 10 ( Canope) to the virtuosic achievement of the finale, the fiendishly difficult Feu d’artifice…”.
“… at times Hemmerlé was visibly transported. Who couldn’t be? The music had cast its spell and his transfixed audience was loud in its acclaim as it called for more. It is devoutly to be wished that Patrick will return to the festival.”
John Gilroy. 


“Last night’s piano recital by Patrick Hemmerlé was astonishing. Such a privilege to listen to such artistry”
David Hill. 


“… an especially talented pianist with flair and style. A pianist to watch out for.”
Bertrand Boissard. 


The Society has brought many fine musicians to Ely and Patrick Hemmerlé must be one of the finest. This phenomenal pianist received his training in France and his understanding and appreciation of French music is breath- taking. Many of the works were popular items that have been played at concerts many times but Patrick outshone any performances I have heard.”
Rosemary Westwell.