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I’ve been writing this blog since 2009, but there still seem to be plenty of interesting topics to mull over. You can subscribe (it’s free) to follow the blog by email – each new post will pop into your inbox.
My book on Radio 3’s ‘Music Matters’, 9th March
On Saturday 9th March, my new book will be featured on BBC Radio 3's Music Matters programme, which begins at 11.45am and runs until 12.30. There's more than one feature in the programme, and I haven't been told exactly when my segment begins. I've recorded an...
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Getting ready to play at Wigmore Hall on March 12
Two weeks today I'll be playing a recital at London's Wigmore Hall to mark the launch of my new book about the history of women playing the piano. My programme consists of music by some of the historical women featured in the book. I've been wondering how many of...
First copy of my new book arrives
The first 'author copy' of my new book arrived yesterday (see photo). After dealing with the virtual version for nearly three years, it is a huge relief to see it actually in print. When my first book came out in 2004, I felt this relief acutely. It had taken a long...
BBC Radio Scotland ‘Classics Unwrapped’ this Sunday evening
On Sunday 1 August, I'll be talking about my new book The Piano - a History in 100 Pieces on BBC Radio Scotland's 'Classics Unwrapped' programme, which begins at 7pm. The interview will be 'live' and if you're in a position to listen to BBC Radio Scotland, you can...
Visiting Daunt’s Books, and a review in ‘Pianist’
In London yesterday, I visited the beautiful premises of Daunt's Books in Marylebone High Street to sign some copies of my new book (see photo). The architecture of the store certainly gives one the feeling of being in a temple of books. Today I came across a nice...
BBC History Magazine podcast about ‘The Piano’
I recently recorded a 30-minute podcast for BBC History magazine - talking to interviewer Ellie Cawthorne about my new book, 'The Piano - a History in 100 Pieces'. The podcast is now available by clicking on this link:...
Publication day for ‘The Piano – a History in 100 Pieces’
My new book comes out today. Perhaps there's no real significance to the formal publication date, especially as pre-ordered copies have been landing on people's doormats for a week or two now - but still, it feels like a day to be happy. I made a YouTube playlist to...
Watching the Euros
I've been watching the Euro 2020 football matches on TV - to the surprise of some of my friends. But I find that things are always interesting once you start to know a bit about them, and as there is so much coverage of the championship, it makes sense to take an...
Giving the public a glimpse of the jury’s reasoning in music competitions
Last week I followed the Cardiff Singer of the World competition on TV with great enjoyment through all the rounds. I was so impressed with these singers who, despite a year of lockdown and no opportunities to sing to live audiences, were able to come out and perform...
Wigmore Hall, 23 July at 7.30pm
My new book The Piano - a History in 100 Pieces comes out in July and I'll be marking its launch with a concert on 23 July at Wigmore Hall, for a long time my favourite concert hall. The programme is drawn from pieces discussed in the book (the photo on the right...
Education via electronic communication
As the university year draws to an end, some of my friends who teach at universities have been reflecting sadly on the experience of doing their job online for an entire year. Many of them did all their teaching without ever meeting their students in person....
A bunch of pianists get together after lockdown
At the weekend a bunch of us, all pianists, got together to be sociable and listen to one another play some live music. One of us had realised that the layout of her house offered the opportunity for us to obey current rules while still enjoying some piano music. Her...
Classical Top Five podcast episode on trios
This week I was the guest on a podcast called The Classical Top Five. During lockdown, a group of critics and broadcasters have been making their way through various 'top five' categories ranging from the serious to the light-hearted, and this week they turned their...
My new book: The Piano – a History in 100 Pieces
I haven’t said much about my new book during the past year. In the midst of such upheaval it seemed unwise to count on things going as planned. But happily it’s not long now until The Piano - a History in 100 Pieces is published by Yale University Press on July 13th....
Piano tuning on the horizon
My poor old piano has not been tuned for almost a year because of the lockdown. As the tuning became less delightful, I have practised 'mind over matter' - a kind of 'fingers in ears, la la la! I don't hear anything wrong' approach. In fact, my piano has held up...