Cancer has claimed the pianist Lars Vogt.

At what should have been middle age, Vogt was also in the process of branching out into conducting. He served as music director of the Royal Northern Sinfonia from 2015. In 2020, he took up the directorship of the Paris Chamber Orchestra. In June, his contract there was extended through 2025.

Vogt received his diagnosis in February 2021. Sad enough for such a talented musician to be cut down in the prime of life – he was only 51 years-old – but he also leaves behind a wife and three children.

The courage and optimism he conveyed in interviews over the past 18 months is to be admired. R.I.P.

Vogt plays Beethoven, beautifully

With a poignant Brahms encore

Vogt singles out the solace to be found in Brahms, following his diagnosis, here

The Time Remaining