At the end of the recording sessions, the piano movers dropped the Fazioli

between an instrumentalist and their instrument can be strong. When Min Kym’s 1696 Stradivarius was stolen at London Euston station, the violinist couldn’t bear to play for some time; the trauma of losing her ‘soulmate’ is the subject of her 2017 book Gone.

Born in Ottawa, Canada, Hewitt grew up with music: her father was the cathedral organist and her mother a music teacher. As well as having a prodigious gift at the piano, Hewitt was also a talented dancer. She chose to focus on music and studied at the University of Ottawa with Jeanpaul Sevilla. When Sevilla moved to Paris for a year-long sabbatical in 1978, Hewitt followed, staying in France for seven years because ‘well, it was Paris!’ She then came to London in 1985, where she has had a base ever since. During her first year in the UK, with the help of the Canadian

High Commission, Hewitt was able to arrange her debut at the Wigmore Hall. This year, the 35th anniversary of that first appearance, just before the final instalment of The Bach Odyssey, the pianist will receive the Wigmore Medal. It’s a prize that recognises musicians who have a strong association with the venue. Pianists András Schiff and Menahem Pressler and soprano Felicity Lott have all received this prestigious accolade in past years.

‘It really means so much to me,’ says Hewitt, cheering a little at the change of topic. ‘I’ve played virtually my whole repertoire at Wigmore – the complete