There has been much debate recently online as to whether technical exercises are important or not when learning to play the piano. These include comments here on my blog, as well as via my inbox, regarding the merits of playing and practising studies irrespective of the standard or level of the pianist. Many believe them…
Tag: Claudio Arrau
Ruth Nye in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
The twenty-fourth interview in my Classical Conversations Series features Australian pianist and esteemed teacher Ruth Nye. We chatted at Jaques Samuel Pianos in London. Find out more about Ruth, here. Here’s the transcript for those who prefer to read interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: Australian concert pianist and esteemed teacher, Ruth Nye has performed extensively. Her students…
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…