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. Angela Hewitt is a phenomenal artist who has established herself at the highest level over the last few years not least through her superb, award-winning recordings for Hyperion. Completed in 2005, her…
Tag: Concert Pianist
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…
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 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,…
‘There are no Fazioli artists, only ARTISTS who PLAY FAZIOLI’
The city of Sacile, a place synonymous with an ancient woodworking tradition, is located around sixty kilometres north east of Venice in the North Eastern part of Italy. It is home to the headquarters of esteemed piano makers Fazioli, who build some of the most expensive instruments in the world. Fazioli is a relatively new…
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 last week. Valerie’s career as a concert pianist began while she was still a child….
Steven Osborne in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
The eighteenth interview in my Classical Conversations Series is with British concert pianist, Steven Osborne. We met for a chat during rehearsals for the Midsummer Music Festival held a few weeks ago in Latimer, Buckinghamshire, where Steven was giving chamber music recitals. Steven is one of Britain’s foremost musicians, renowned for his idiomatic approach to a wide…
The Yellow Lounge with Valentina Lisitsa in Paris
Nothing invigorates the soul like a trip to the romantic city of Paris. It’s always a good idea to take time out from our daily routines and do something completely different, but the main reason for my three-day trip last week was to visit friend and the first pianist I interviewed as part of my…
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…
Peter Donohoe in conversation Melanie Spanswick
Today’s guest in my Classical Conversations Series is British pianist Peter Donohoe. In the years since his unprecedented success as Silver Medal winner of the 1982 7th International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, Peter has built an extraordinary world-wide career, encompassing a huge repertoire and over forty years’ experience as a pianist, as well as continually exploring…
Ivan Ilić in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
My Twelfth Classical Conversation features Serbian-American pianist, Ivan Ilić. We met up for a chat at Steinway Hall in London last week, after Ivan had given a recital as part of the It’s All About Piano Festival held at the French Institute. For those interested in reading the interview, I have included a transcript at…
Melanie Spanswick 