Archive for the ‘Inspirations’ Category

Otters

Posted by Susan Tomes on 22 November 2020 under Daily Life, Inspirations  •  1 Comment

One positive aspect of this year’s lockdowns has been seeing more wildlife in the city’s green spaces. Earlier in the year, when there was very little traffic, animals seemed to pluck up courage to venture on to the quiet golf courses, parks and hillsides. We saw lots of deer, frogs, and horses who seemed keen […]

The appeal of the Green Room

Posted by Susan Tomes on 19 September 2020 under Concerts, Inspirations, Travel  •  Leave a comment

On Monday, cellist Philip Higham and I played one of the first post-lockdown concerts for a socially distanced live audience at Wigmore Hall (see photo). At first, we had been told that only 56 people would be allowed in the audience, but the rules changed and we were able to have 120. I knew they […]

Playing at Wigmore Hall on 14 September

Posted by Susan Tomes on 11 September 2020 under Concerts, Inspirations, Travel  •  1 Comment

On Monday, 14 September at 7.30pm, cellist Philip Higham and I will be stepping in at short notice to play a duo recital at Wigmore Hall in London. We’re replacing two artists caught up in quarantine rules. With countries hopping on and off the quarantine list, the jigsaw of concerts planned for the autumn has […]

Exploring the Shelves, 20: Bach’s first Invention

Posted by Susan Tomes on 8 July 2020 under Inspirations, Musings, Teaching  •  2 Comments

Most people who learn piano will have come across Bach’s Two-Part Inventions, but their eyes may not have alighted on his Foreword. Mine hadn’t until the other day. ‘Forthright instruction, wherewith lovers of the clavier, especially those eager to learn, are shown in a clear way not only 1) to learn to play two voices […]

Exploring the Shelves, 19: Gershwin’s Three Preludes

Posted by Susan Tomes on 3 July 2020 under Inspirations, Musings  •  2 Comments

This is probably the penultimate in my lockdown series about neglected music on my shelves. It has been a helpful focus for me during a phase when more people had time to read. As we start to come out of lockdown, it seems right to wrap it up. I’ll try to get to number 20! […]