The twenty-second interview in my Classical Conversations Series features Venezuelan pianist Clara Rodriguez and I was delighted to chat to her at Steinway Hall in London. Find out more about Clara, here. For those who prefer to read interviews, the transcript: MELANIE SPANSWICK: Venezuelan concert pianist Clara Rodriguez plays solo and chamber concerts all around the…
Category: Melanie Spanswick
Celebrating the Left Hand
Many students have ongoing problems regarding their left hand. These difficulties may include inability to read the bass clef properly, weaker fingers, or just lack of co-ordination and movement. A languid left hand can be caused by so many culprits, so in this post I thought it a good idea to examine the reasons why…
Structuring Your Piano Practice
Structured practice for the more advanced pianist has been whirling around my inbox recently. I’ve written about it several times for beginners, but it does take on a different mantle for those who have clearly passed that stage. Piano practice has frequently been cited by pupils as the main reason for wanting to quit, after…
Hungarian Dances at The Musical Museum
Finding a new venue is always an exciting discovery. I had never before visited The Musical Museum at Kew Bridge in West London, but it is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. In addition to housing some interesting musical artifacts it also hosts a concert series as well as many other activities. The Museum’s concert…
Piers Lane in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
My twenty-first Classical Conversation is with Australian concert pianist Piers Lane who chatted to me at Steinway Hall in London. Find out more about Piers, here. For those who prefer to read interviews, here is the transcript; MELANIE SPANSWICK: Australian concert pianist Piers Lane came to prominence in 1977 at the inaugural Sydney International Piano Competition…
Angela Hewitt in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
This is the Twentieth Classical Conversation in my series and I’m delighted to welcome celebrated British Canadian concert pianist Angela Hewitt to mark the occasion. We met at Jaques Samuel pianos in London. Find out more about Angela, here. The transcript for those who prefer to read interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: Celebrated British-Canadian concert pianist Angela Hewitt gives…
Do pianists really need to play the entire piano repertoire?
This is a topic relevant to performers of all standards and abilities. How can we build an effective and enjoyable recital programme which is varied, interesting and more importantly, will compliment a pianist’s abilities and talents? For younger, inexperienced performers, teachers are paramount here, hopefully suggesting works beyond the scope of those found in various…
From the Adjudicator’s Chair
This week, several readers have contacted me asking whether I could write a blog post on the subject of what adjudicators or jury members are looking for in a competition performance. It’s wonderful that so many of you are preparing for amateur piano competitions all around the world. The main concern or question seemed to…
Happy Birthday Claude Debussy
I love Debussy’s music especially his piano works. Here is a little piece to celebrate his birthday, which was on this day in 1862 (he died in 1918). It’s from the first book of Préludes and entitled ‘Girl with the Flaxen Hair’ (La fille aux cheveux de lin). I recorded this piece at Wigmore Hall, London, in…
Listening and focusing
There are numerous considerations when playing the piano. Elements requiring attention include co-ordination, notes, fingering, rhythm, pedalling, colour, sound, and so on. The list is endless, and the success of the all important technical and musical issues depends on how carefully we listen and focus on what we are doing. It’s too easy to play with closed ears, that is,…
Why write on the score?
A piano score is a sacred book. Some pianists are immensely attached to their scores and feel they couldn’t possibly work from another copy. Once bought and used, scores are associated with memories, emotions, special concerts, recitals and performance venues, and even correspond to particular periods of our lives. They have significance, and are generally…
A visit to Holst’s Birthplace Museum
Cheltenham is one of Britain’s most beautiful towns. Situated on the edge of the Cotswolds, it is architecturally stunning; elegant buildings and manicured gardens abound. So it provides the perfect setting for the birthplace museum of one of Britain’s most important composers: Gustav Holst. Holst was born in the Spa town in 1874 in a property which is resides in Clarence…