Category: g) Classically Inclined
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Anna Russell’s Ring
I love musical comedians, in particular the ones who make you laugh and then casually sit down at the piano and demonstrate that they can actually do what they’ve been knocking. Made some remarks on here before about Victor Borge, but here’s a contemporary of his, the late great Anna Russell. If you’ve always wanted…
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The Death of the Death of David Debrizzi, Paul Micou
I simply cannot understand why this wonderful novel is out of print and languishing at 1p second-hand on Amazon. My own copy has been reread so often that it’s falling apart more than my Real Book is (and that looks like confetti). Actually, I can understand why. The current trend in fiction publishing seems to…
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Maria João Pires Handles a Nightmare
It’s like something from a classic anxiety nightmare. You know, like the ones where you dream you arrive at work and suddenly realise you’re in your underwear (which would be fine if you’re one of those people who works in their underwear – I wonder if models and pole dancers have a sort of reversed version…
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To Hanon or not to Hanon?
Originally posted on Sonic Octarine: English: Hanon example of studies Nederlands: Voorbeeld oefening Charles-Louis Hanon (Photo credit: Wikipedia) That is the real question… The Virtuoso Pianist , a compilation of 60 exercises by Charles-Louis Hanon, is meant to address the common technical difficulties that stand between an average pianist and a virtuoso. In my opinion…
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A Pianist’s A-Z, Alfred Brendel
I’m quite a fan of Alfred Brendel. Certainly as a pianist – his playing has great honesty and clarity, serving always the music, rather than himself. He is sincere about music without being precious about it, and heaven knows, we need more like that. He has made many excellent recordings, but I can single out…
Jason Lyon Music 