As the COVID-19 health crisis continues to dominate our everyday lives, many artists have taken to online forums, and particularly social media, in order to continue their work. With this in mind, Russian pianist, composer, teacher and writer, GéNIA (Genia Chudinovich) has established a new interview series, ‘Quarantine or Paradise’, where she will speak to…
Tag: Interviews
Stephen Kovacevich in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
My fortieth and final interview in the Classical Conversations Series features celebrated American concert pianist Stephen Kovacevich. I spoke to him at his home in West London where he provided great insights into practising, overcoming nerves, and late Beethoven. Find out more about Stephen, here. Here’s the transcript for those who prefer to read my interviews:…
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…
Second Anniversary of the Classical Conversations Series
My interview series Classical Conversations celebrates its second anniversary today. I’ve interviewed thirty-nine eminent pianists and pedagogues on camera to date. It has been such an interesting project. To mark the occasion, The Music Teacher Magazine, published by Rhinegold, featured my series in their November edition. This edition is a celebration of the piano (see the…
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…
Boris Giltburg in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
The thirty-fifth interview in my Classical Conversations Series features Israeli concert pianist Boris Giltburg, and we met at Jaques Samuel Pianos in London to chat about his life and career. Find out more about Boris, here. Here’s the transcript for those who prefer to read my interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: Israeli concert pianist Boris Giltburg won…
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…
Ian Fountain in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
The thirty-third Classical Conversation in my series features British concert pianist Ian Fountain. We chatted at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where Ian is professor of piano. Find out more about Ian, here. The transcript for those who prefer to read interviews: MS: British concert pianist Ian Fountain was the youngest ever winner…
Hamish Milne in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
The thirty-second Classical Conversation features British concert pianist and professor of piano at the Royal Academy of Music Hamish Milne. We met last month at Jaques Samuel Pianos in London to chat about his life and work. Find out more about Hamish, here. Here’s the transcript for those who prefer to read interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: British…
Pascal Rogé in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
The thirty-first Classical Conversation in my series features French concert pianist Pascal Rogé. We met at Jaques Samuel Pianos in London to chat all about his life and work. Find out more about Pascal, here. Here’s the transcript for those who prefer to read interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: French concert pianist Pascal Rogé came to prominence in…
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…