Coffee, Libraries, Losses and Gains. 27-12-09 I have found myself the perfect cup of coffee, in the old market quarter of Sarajevo, the Bašaršija. It’s early in the morning, and I am sitting outside at a pavement table, as…
Calumnies Violinists have often been assumed to be feckless wastrels. In 1802, Wilhelm Triest wrote a pen-portrait of this popular cliché, one which Paganini seemed far from anxious to contradict, but maybe to uphold, perhaps pre-empting the adage that ‘there’s…
The G minor Capriccio No 16 is where I feel most in the presence of Bach, or at the very least, that Paganini was very aware of Bach’s legacy for solo violin. This can be more obviously witnessed in the…
On Paganini – Capricci Op 1 No.9 E Major Caprice No 9 seems to take place in a forest, though of course this is not stated. This piece is the only place in Paganini’s cycle where the composer demands mimesis.…
Mozart and the Divine Bohemian Talk given prior to performance of Mozart-Quintets in D Major, E Flat Major, and Adagio K411. Wilton’s Music Hall September 2008 In 1782, Mozart wrote an Adagio K411 for five wind instruments. Very little is…
Mozart and the Quintet, thoughts on… Bishop Joseph Hurdalek (Mozart’s album) ‘When Orpheus’ magic lute rings out, Amphion to his lyre sings, The lions tame, the rivers quiet grow, The tigers listen, rocks a-walking go. When Mozart masterly…
Trockne Blumen ‘Variations on an Original Theme for Flute and Piano’y Und Lenz wird kommen, und Winter wird gehn Und Blümlein werden in Grase stehnn Und Blümlein liegen in meinen Grab, Die Blümlein alle, die sie mir gab. Wilhelm Müller…
Sunday’s concert offers a very rare opportunity to hear Mendelssohn’s early Sextet. This ebullient piece, written in 1824, was first performed at one of the Mendelssohn family Sunday morning concerts. These concerts had acquired an almost mythical status on the…
Felix Mendelssohn A Major String Quintet Op 18 Wilton’s Music Hall Sunday December 20th 6 pm On Sunday, the we will be returning to the wonder of Felix Mendelssohn’s early chamber music. The centrepiece of the concert will be…
(This article cited here-Auditorio Nacional) I have never forgotten the advice that Louis Krasner gave me about concerto playing. There is an astounding recording of a performance that he gave of ‘his’ piece, the Berg Violin Concerto. This was…