NEWS & EVENTS
This page includes both forthcoming and past events, as well as recent interviews. It also provides information about publications, compositions, and workshops. You will find details on adjudicating, presentations, reviews, as well as holiday and celebratory posts.
Great Piano Composers of the Classical Era: Pianist Magazine
Pianist Magazine is a great publication for anyone learning to play the piano, and it’s also informative for professionals, too. Brimming with interesting articles, step-by-step lessons from expert teachers, and copious free scores which inhabit the centre of the magazine, not forgetting the CD which adorns the front cover of every issue. Great Piano Composers of the Classical Era proffers articles, information…
Digressions: 5 Piano Pieces
Digressions consists of 5 piano pieces intended for those who are around Grade 4-6 standard (ABRSM, Trinity College London or London College of Music Exams level). The pieces were inspired by minimalism and cinematic music, and lie comfortably under the hands without appearing too simple. Educational piano pieces are, by necessity, succinct and brief, but in my opinion, little pieces are mostly…
The New Steinway Spirio and Daily Telegraph Article
I was pleased to write an article for the Daily Telegraph in which I commented on concert violinist Nicola Benedetti’s recent article which discussed whether children should be made to play an instrument or not. Benedetti is a superb advocate for music education. She works tirelessly for the social music programme Sistema England. I nearly…
Bilingual Piano Workshops in Germany
I enjoyed another wonderful time in Germany over the weekend and love being part of a bilingual piano project, organised by singer Kery Felske, and supported by the IKM Gelsenkirchen, which is situated in the Ruhr region. The workshop concept is becoming increasingly popular, with classes running all day on Saturday and Sunday. Young (and…
Piano Notes published by Rhinegold
Piano Notes are published by Rhinegold Music and produced in conjunction with Music Teacher Magazine and International Piano Magazine. It’s essentially a guide to assist piano teachers whilst they prepare students for the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) piano exams. This recently published volume features Grades 1 to 8 of the new 2015/16 syllabus. This publication contains…
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Wishing you all a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS. Thank you for visiting my blog this year, and here’s a special Christmas ‘à la Beethoven’ medley played by pianist John Lenehan.
Overseas Masters Winter Piano Academy 2014
There are a plethora of piano courses taking place every year here in the UK. The majority are held during the Summer months. They coincide with holiday periods and usually offer a mixture of one to one lessons and group classes. Courses can be a very helpful addition to a pianist’s regular musical activities, providing much-needed extra ‘ears’…
The Piano Bench Mag Feature
I was recently interviewed for an article in the December edition of The Piano Bench Mag. The magazine was founded and is edited by piano teacher Karen Gibson, who wanted to create an online ‘well’ of useful information for piano teachers. Karen is based in the US. The Magazine is published monthly. It is available on…
Piano Showcase presented by Pianist Magazine and Schott Music
I’ve written on many occasions about the positive practical and psychological benefits from regular performance practice. Nothing can prepare a pianist for the feeling of stepping out in public. A pianist must think under pressure and play a piece from beginning to end. It should be performed with few errors, stumbles, or hesitations. Feeling terrified is normal. However,…
Second Anniversary of the Classical Conversations Series
My interview series Classical Conversations celebrates its second anniversary today. I’ve interviewed thirty-nine eminent pianists and pedagogues on camera to date. It has been such an interesting project. To mark the occasion, The Music Teacher Magazine, published by Rhinegold, featured my series in their November edition. This edition is a celebration of the piano (see the…
Master classes in Germany
Earlier this year I visited Gelsenkirchen, near Düsseldorf, in Germany, to give master classes and workshops, and last weekend I enjoyed a second visit. The classes form part of a community piano project, established and organised by Kery Felske and the wonderful organisation, IkM-Ge e. V, the Interest group of Cultural working Musicians. Kery, who…
A Trip to the Schimmel Piano Factory in Germany
Peregrine’s Pianos have been in business for a relatively short period of time (four years), yet they have already established themselves as one of the leading piano dealers in the UK. Their premises in Grays Inn Road, in central London, offers superb practice facilities, piano hire and servicing, as well as housing a large showroom…