It’s such a treat to explore new places and new venues. I don’t live far from Perivale in West London, but somehow St. Mary’s Church has remained an enigma, until last Sunday afternoon. This fine little church, just off the A40, dates back as far as 1135. Seating just 70, it serves as the ideal…
Tag: piano
Music Talk with Erica Worth
It’s been a real pleasure chatting to many wonderful concert pianists and pedagogues on camera over the past year, but the interview today takes a slightly different form to that of my Classical Conversations Series. I’m introducing a little subsidiary series, Music Talk, which focuses on those who work in areas connected to the piano, music education and the music industry in…
Vanessa Latarche in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
My Classical Conversations Series is celebrating its first birthday today. I started this series with Ukrainian concert pianist Valentina Lisitsa, whom I met in Cardiff on a very cold and wet day, before she performed Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto for Radio 3’s Children in Need concert; you can enjoy our interview here. My twenty-fifth interview…
In Praise of Slow Practice
There are so many different ways of practising the piano and whilst it’s relatively easy to identify those that are ineffective or plain incorrect, it’s much harder to establish fail-safe methods which will work every time on every piece. Many believe slow practice is of little use and can be distracting or even damaging, but if worked at regularly…
Salon Music
The piano is the perfect vehicle for Salon music; music more suited to the drawing-room as opposed to the concert hall. This genre was popular in Europe in the Nineteenth Century. During this period, many composers were also performers, and they loved to write little pieces to perform at house recitals or soirées, showcasing their talents in relatively short…
Clara Rodriguez in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
The twenty second interview in my Classical Conversations Series features Venezuelan pianist Clara Rodriguez and I was delighted to chat to her earlier in the week at Steinway Hall in London. Clara is one of the most distinguished of the present generation of international artists and has often been described as an Ambassador of her homeland music….
Celebrating the Left Hand
Many students have ongoing problems regarding their left hand. These difficulties may include inability to read the bass clef properly, weaker fingers or just lack of co-ordination and movement. A languid left hand can be caused by so many culprits, so today I thought it a good idea to examine the reasons why the bass…
Structuring Your Piano Practice
This week’s piano post has been suggested by you, the reader; ‘structured practice for the more advanced pianist’ has been whirling around my inbox recently. I have written about it several times for beginners, but it does take on a different mantle for those of you who have clearly passed that stage. Piano practice has…
Hungarian Dances at The Musical Museum
Finding a new venue is always an exciting discovery; I had never visited The Musical Museum at Kew Bridge in West London, but it is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year and in addition to housing some interesting musical artefacts it also hosts a concert series as well as many other activities. The Museum’s concert…
Piers Lane in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
My twenty-first Classical Conversation is with Australian concert pianist Piers Lane, who chatted to me last week at Steinway Hall in London. London-based Australian pianist Piers Lane has a flourishing international career, which has taken him to more than forty countries. Highlights of the past year include world premiere performances of Carl Vine’s second piano…
Melanie Spanswick 