In this final part of my interview series with Chinese concert pianist Chenyin Li we discuss the importance of teaching both in her life and to her work. Why do you love teaching? What is your teaching philosophy? For me, teaching feels like an extension of performing. At its heart, both are about communication. In…
Tag: Interview Series
Piano Pedagogy Spotlight: An Interview with Chenyin Li – Part 3
This post is Part 3 of my Piano Pedagogy Spotlight interview series with Chinese concert pianist and piano professor Chenyin Li. In this article, we discuss Chenyin’s performing career. Tell us about your current performing activities. Do you play mostly solo recitals or concerti? Do you have a preference? At the moment I perform mostly…
Piano Pedagogy Spotlight: An interview with Frank Huang – Part 3
My Piano Pedagogy Spotlight guest is currently American pianist and piano professor Frank Huang. In this interview, Frank discusses his performing career. How did your extraordinary nine-disc project, recording the works of Russian composer Nikolai Medtner, come about? What attracts you to this music? I first encountered Nikolai Medtner’s music as a student at Juilliard…
Janina Fialkowska in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
I’ve loved interviewing thirty wonderful pianists and pedagogues. The Classical Conversations Series has been lots of fun, and I’ve learned so much from speaking to all of the outstanding players and teachers who have so kindly taken part. The thirtieth interview features great Canadian pianist Janina Fialkowska. We met in North London to chat all about her…
Ashley Wass in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
This is the tenth interview in my Classical Conversations Series featuring British pianist Ashley Wass. Find out more about Ashley, here. For those who prefer to read, here’s the transcript: MELANIE SPANSWICK: British classical pianist, Ashley Wass, has carved out a very successful career playing concerts all around the world. He was a former BBC Radio 3 New…
Martin Roscoe in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
This is the eighth interview in the Classical Conversations Series and pianist Martin Roscoe is my guest. Find out more about Martin, here. Here’s the transcript for those who prefer to read interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: British concert pianist Martin Roscoe has played with some of the world’s greatest conductors and orchestras. He’s the artistic director of…
John Lenehan in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
This is the seventh interview in the Classical Conversations Series and British pianist John Lenehan is my guest. Find out more about John, here. Here’s the transcript for those who prefer to read interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: British concert pianist John Lenehan is one of the most sought-after musicians of his generation. As a soloist, he’s played…
Winner’s Recital of the 6th Jaques Samuel Pianos Junior Department Piano Festival held at the Wigmore Hall
I was invited to the Winner’s Recital of the 6th Jaques Samuel Pianos Junior Department Piano Festival on December 9th this year. It was a most enjoyable event held at Wigmore Hall in London. Founded by Terry Lewis, who is Managing Director and Co-Owner of Jaques Samuel Pianos in London, it provides a performing opportunity…
Lucy Parham in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
This is my fourth interview in the Classical Conversations Series and pianist Lucy Parham is my guest. Find out more about Lucy, here. And the transcript for those who prefer to read my interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: British concert pianist Lucy Parham came to the public’s attention in 1984 when she won the piano class of the BBC Young…
Alexandra Dariescu in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
This is the third interview in my Classical Conversations Series and Romanian pianist Alexandra Dariescu is my guest. Find out more about Alexandra, here. The interview transcript: MELANIE SPANSWICK: Romanian concert pianist, Alexandra Dariescu, was selected by the Young Concert Artist Trust in 2008 and since then she’s become hugely popular with audiences both here in the…
Nick van Bloss in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
This is the second interview in my Classical Conversations Series and British concert pianist Nick van Bloss is in the spotlight. Find out more about Nick, here. And the transcript for those who prefer to read interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: Hi! I’m Melanie Spanswick and welcome to “Classical Conversations” which is a series of interviews with various artists to…
Valentina Lisitsa in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
I’m delighted to introduce my new series of interviews with established classical artists. They will appear on my YouTube channel as well as on this blog, and are informal conversations with some truly inspiring musicians. The series starts with Ukrainian pianist Valentina Lisitsa. Find out more about Valentina, here. And the transcript for those who prefer to read…