This week’s post features the following master class given by Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes. The class was recorded on September 3rd 2021 at the Riga Jurmala Academy. It features student Ilana Lode, who currently studies at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. The chosen repertoire is Chopin’s monumental Ballade No. 4 in F…
Tag: Chopin
Pianists From The Past: Raoul von Koczalski written by Yuki Negishi
Today’s Pianists From The Past features Polish pianist Raoul von Koczalski. The post has been written by Japanese concert pianist Yuki Negishi. Now mostly forgotten, but considered as one of the greatest Chopin interpreters and one of the greatest pianists in his time, Raoul von Koczalski (3 Jan 1884 – 24 Nov 1948; full name: Armand Georg…
Practising Nocturne No. 20 in C sharp minor Op. Posth. by Frédéric Chopin
I wrote about practising this beautiful nocturne a few years ago. You can read the article by clicking here. It has become one of my most ‘viewed’ blog posts. This work is now especially popular and one reason is that it is on the current ABRSM Grade 7 syllabus (2017 – 2018). I rewrote the…
Words and Music with Lucy Parham and Friends
British concert pianist Lucy Parham came to prominence when she won the piano final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 1984. She has since played with many of the world’s finest orchestras and conductors. More recently, she has become synonymous with performances of Words and Music. Lucy teams up with eminent actors and…
‘Divine Fire’ at the Radcliffe Centre in Buckingham
The quaint, attractive market town of Buckingham is situated in North Buckinghamshire. It played host to a rather special performance which was held at the Radcliffe Centre earlier this week. The centre was formerly a splendid church. It’s attached to the University of Buckingham and has been tastefully refurbished and renovated. The centre caters perfectly for recitals and lectures….
A few thoughts on Chopin’s Nocturne No. 20 in C Sharp Minor Op. Posth.
Frédéric Chopin’s nocturnes offer a rich array of depth and emotion for both the pianist and listener. Written between 1827 and 1846, they consist of 21 short pieces. It’s generally acknowledged that the genre was developed by the Irish composer John Field. Chopin expanded on this original conception. He produced what are often considered to…
Valerie Tryon in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
My nineteenth Classical Conversation is with British concert pianist Valerie Tryon. Valerie now resides in Ancaster in Ontario, Canada, but was visiting the UK to record a disc with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra when I caught up with her in London. Find out more about Valerie, here. Here’s the transcript for those who prefer to read…