I was on my way to Wigmore Hall in London for my recital a few days ago when this very pleasing review of my Nocturne book popped up on Presto Music. I think reviews are a new kind of offering on Presto Music, so in case readers haven’t come across it, I thought I’d put some excerpts here:

‘…The book is as hard to put down as the best of fiction yet with research and accuracy always forefront, as readers of her previous books, including The Piano: A History in 100 Pieces, will recognise.

‘…The range of composers and repertoire Tomes calls upon is limitless, displaying a knowledge that reflects a life lived deep in the love and practice of music, and the exploration of the connections with wider arts in the closing chapters evidences the rounded artist and writer that she undoubtedly is.

‘…This is a book you won’t want to put down, full of fascinating facts and interesting anecdotes, unfailingly engaging and guaranteed to prompt you to rediscover music you thought you already knew, and to discover music you don’t, whether as listener, musician or both. It is beautifully written, usefully and comprehensively indexed and bound and typeset to the highest of standards by Yale University Press.’

Seeing this review gave me a jolt of confidence and I made my way to Wigmore Hall with a spring in my step. (Photo shows me rehearsing on stage that day.)