A very HAPPY EASTER to you all. During this dreadful time, I hope you’re feeling well, and you are able relax and enjoy this holiday period, whether with your family or in self-isolation. Let’s pray for those who are currently suffering this terrible disease, and continue to support and celebrate the tremendous work undertaken by…
Tag: Liszt
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, and 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 themes…
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….
More Memorising tips
I had some interesting responses to the post I wrote a few days ago dealing with memorisation (which you can read here). It was suggested that I should also focus on what happens when memory fails, that is, a memory slip! Therefore, here are my thoughts on this incredibly stressful event in any pianist’s life….
Memorising your piano pieces
‘Who developed the concept of playing from memory?’ This question is pursued on the lips of many piano pupils, conservatoire students, and professionals. Memorising a work, or playing without the score, certainly puts an extra strain on an artist. Every note must be meticulously rehearsed and learned to the point of distraction, or, might I…
Melanie Spanswick 