Robert Birchall was initially self-taught in music and then began lessons on piano with Percy Jones, and later studied with with Ian Gleaves and George Hadjinikos. He has performed extensively throughout the UK and in Europe both as a recitalist and concerto soloist and continues to establish his reputation as an exciting solo artist with an exceptional expressive range and ability to bring the almost incomparable range of the piano repertoire to life for audiences in vivid and exciting performances.
His repertoire ranges from keyboard works of the early 17th/18th centuries including performances of the complete Bach 48 preludes and fugues, through to the great keyboard composers of the 19th and 20th centuries, and right up to the present day including works by Ligeti and Xenakis, with programs which explore the whole breadth of the piano repertoire and ranging from the intimate and expressive to epic works such as the Messiaen ‘Vingt Regards’ and the ‘Catalogue des Oiseaux’. Robert’s extensive repertoire enables him to devise varied and diverse programs which can introduce audiences to lesser-known repertoire and give unexpected perspectives on well-known works. Robert has performed in Greece, Germany, Portugal, Scandinavia and the Middle East. He has also given broadcast solo performances on Icelandic TV and radio and in a live TV broadcast with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra in Cairo Opera House. He has performed all over the UK including at at major venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Symphony Hall Birmingham, CBSO Centre, and the Manchester Royal Exchange.