Daniil Trifonov, one of the hottest new piano talents, turned 26 the day before this recital took place. What he will be like in ten years is anybody’s guess. At the moment he is phenomenal.

The first half of the concert was all music of Robert Schumann: two sets of pieces from 1838, Kinderszehen (Scenes from Childhood), and Kreisleriana. Between these, Trifonov plunged into the earlier Toccata. With a minimum of fuss (quick entrances and exits to the platform; no gaps between movements), the pianist covered the innate and often extreme contrasts of character that permeate Schumann’s music, sometimes even in the same piece – such as Fürchtenmachen (Frightening) from Kinderszehen with its sudden bursts of activity. Trifonov’s pianism was limpid in the famous Träumerei (Dreaming) from the same work, lovingly inward and hushed in Kind im Einschlummern (Child Falling Asleep). In this opening set, Trifonov showed himself to be a true poet.

The more extrovert Kreisleriana brought out the virtuoso side to his playing: the rapid fugato in No 7 was electric; the stately theme of No 2 beautifully weighted to produce a bell-like tone. Moreover, Trifonov (much like Schumann himself) switched from one mood to another in a split...