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.
Improvisation on a Bach Chorale for Two Pianos by Ferruccio Busoni
Italian composer Ferruccio Busoni (1886 – 1924) was a fine pianist, composer, conductor, writer, editor and educator. His compositions were largely neglected after his death until around the 1980s. A master piano teacher, Busoni was regarded as an intellectual; a philosopher who was accustomed to thinking outside the box. Amongst his large compositional output, the most fabled pieces are the gigantic Piano Concerto (1904) and the…
Master Classes in Gelsenkirchen
I had the pleasure of giving master classes and workshops recently in Germany. The town of Gelsenkirchen, which is around a forty minute drive from Düsseldorf, provided the backdrop for a weekend of intensive piano playing. Seven students had signed up for coaching over a period of two days which culminated in a little concert…
Sonya’s Lullaby Op. 16 by Oliver Knussen
I was introduced to Oliver Knussen’s music as a young student. Playing unusual, less familiar repertoire was always an interesting discovery. Oliver Knussen was born in Glasgow in 1952 (and he sadly died in July 2018). His father was the principal double bass player in the London Symphony Orchestra with whom he made his debut in…
Marlow FM Interview
One of the first interviews I gave about my book So You Want To Play The Piano? was in April for a local Radio station in Buckinghamshire called Marlow FM. It was such fun and quite detailed. I chatted about all aspects of piano playing with presenters Pat Reading and Kathryn Payne.
Sheargold Music Interview
A few weeks ago I spoke to Steven Palmer at Sheargold Music as part of their new video-blog series, about my career and my new book. I was delighted to have the opportunity to chat on camera about So You Want To Play The Piano? Sheargold Music owns a large piano and music shop in Cobham, Surrey. You can watch…
BBC Three Counties Radio Interview
Last week, I gave a radio interview with flautist Liz Childs. We chatted to Nick Coffer on BBC Three Counties Radio about various musical projects and music education in general.
BBC Radio Berkshire Interview
I was interviewed by Anne Diamond on April 4th. We are both passionate about music education, and had lots to say on this important subject.
Music Education in Hong Kong
Music education has been in the news again, and there always seems to be plenty of negative press surrounding what the government should or shouldn’t do relating to this topic. I have just returned from Hong Kong where I’ve been working for the past month and it’s been fascinating comparing our system with that implemented…
The 2012 Overseas Masters Winter Piano Academy
As 2012 came to a close, I was invited to lecture and teach piano classes at the OMWPA or Overseas Masters Winter Piano Academy which is organised by pianist Bobby Chen and held at the Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey, UK. The Winter Piano Academy consists of around 40 piano students, all having been auditioned…
The Music Adjudicator
I’ve just returned from the British and International Federation of Festivals Conference which was held in Bristol over the weekend. Music Festivals are mini amateur competitions held all around the UK (there are many abroad, too), and they play an important role in the British music scene. Consisting of numerous instrumental, vocal and chamber music…
Life as a Guest Entertainer
This post highlights my life as a guest entertainer. I gave solo classical piano recitals on cruise ships around the world, as well as giving concerts at universities and music societies throughout the UK, a job I did for 12 years. This article is a potpourri of my experiences. Our plane touched down at midnight….