A Happy New Year to you all As it’s the beginning of the year, I want to highlight something special, and with the war still raging in Ukraine, this wonderful, heart-warming project offers a positive start to 2023. The internationally acclaimed concert pianist Margaret Fingerhut is known for her innovative recital programmes where she explores…
Tag: Concert Pianist
Studying at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam: Yuki Negishi
Japanese concert pianist Yuki Negishi has written the guest post this week. This is the third article in Yuki’s series for this blog, reflecting on her training, and, specifically, her time spent studying at various music conservatoires around the world. The first two posts explored her experiences studying in New York, at the Juilliard School’s…
Studying in Hong Kong and the USA: Rachel Cheung
Today’s post is a continuation of my series exploring advanced music study, and, more specifically, how studying at a music conservatoire or university plays a crucial, and often defining, role in a musician’s life. My guest post has been penned by concert pianist Rachel Cheung, who is based in Hong Kong. In this fascinating article,…
Pianists From The Past: Sergei Rachmaninov written by Robin Zebaida
My Pianists From The Past series continues featuring the great Russian pianist and composer Sergei Rachmaninov. Today’s article has been penned by British concert pianist, teacher and broadcaster Robin Zebaida. Aspects of Rachmaninov the pianist Although I first became familiar with Rachmaninov’s recordings in my mid-teens while studying his Preludes, I can precisely date to…
Pianists From The Past: Edith Vogel written by Andrew Bottrill
Pianists From The Past continues with this fascinating article featuring Austro-Hungarian-born pianist and pedagogue Edith Vogel. It’s been written by one of her pupils, pianist and piano professor Andrew Bottrill. He is head of keyboard at Latymer Upper School. He is also a professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. I…
Hamish Milne: reflective memories
The relationship between piano teacher and piano student can last a lifetime. When the teacher passes, inevitably, the student takes stock and reflects. Hamish Milne was a concert pianist and pedagogue. He was a highly respected, much-loved piano professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He taught there for over forty years and…
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…
Barry Douglas in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
The thirty-ninth interview in my Classical Conversations Series features Irish concert pianist Barry Douglas. We met for a chat in London where he talked about his life and career. Find out more about Barry, here. The transcript for those who prefer to read my interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: Irish concert pianist Barry Douglas won the gold…
Cristina Ortiz in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
My thirty-eighth interview guest is Brazilian concert pianist Cristina Ortiz. We met at her home in West London to discuss her life and career. Find out more about Cristina, here. Here’s the transcript for those who prefer to read interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: Brazilian concert pianist, Cristina Ortiz, won first prize in the 1969 Van Cliburn…
Nicholas McCarthy in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
The latest Classical Conversations interview features British left-handed concert pianist Nicholas McCarthy, who is my thirty-seventh guest. He met with me earlier this month at Steinway Hall in London. Here’s the transcript for those who prefer to read my interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: British concert pianist, Nicholas McCarthy, made history when he was the first left-handed…
Leslie Howard in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
The thirty-sixth interview in my Classical Conversations Series features British concert pianist and Liszt specialist Leslie Howard. I met him at his home in London. Find out more about Leslie, here. Here’s the transcript for those who prefer to read my interview: MELANIE SPANSWICK: British concert pianist Leslie Howard is the only pianist ever to…
Martin James Bartlett in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
The thirty-fourth interview guest in my Classical Conversations Series is BBC Young Musician 2014, Martin James Bartlett. We met up for a chat at Jaques Samuel Pianos, where he talked about his life and career. Find out more about Martin, here. Here’s the transcript for those who prefer to read interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: British concert…