We have come to Z. The last letter in this project reflects the endeavours of Alexander Siloti. He pushed #piano #technique to new levels. Siloti acquired this facility through a #regime of disciplined, isolated hours of studies that were inflicted upon him, then which became accepted and self-maintained. Yet, out of seemingly the most mundane #exercise that is carried out little more than with a sense of #duty and perhaps #faith in its future benefit, Siloti unearthed and

Has anyone else noticed the wonderful new #lockdown phenomenon where people walk out of the front door timidly, then gathering more and more confidence start looking alive as they launch into their once-daily permitted ration of stepping out into the world? Then, returning back they disappear - not to be seen until a new, clear day beckons again... Sounds familiar? Of course - it must be that #magician #Debussy capturing the #music of the legendary submerged isle of Ys! #COVI

In the recent weeks we’ve heard far too much #rhetoric for comfort about #war, #restriction of liberties, #sacrifice and the instigation of the so-called ‘new normal’. #Vote, the Treaty of Versailles and the spirit of the people (#Volksgeist) are all part of this session in #Lockdown #Piano #Alphabet... and some bubbly Schubert to go with it! #COVID19 #workingfromhome #houseconcert #together #share

Today is Russian Orthodox Easter, so it’s a lively and joyful toe-tapping musical offering for the Lockdown PIano Alphabet. It’s a set of Romanian Folk Dances, or Tanze, by Bartok - from Transylvania... I won’t tell if you jump around it to as an extra to your allowable ‘one daily exercise’. #COVID19 #workingfromhome #dance #music #share

I never thought I’d think, let alone say this, but - as the Government has officially extended #Lockdown by 3 more weeks - when will we finally be able to experience the chaotic hustle and bustle of non #SocialDistancing #queues? For now, here is what feels like a distant memory with Mussorgsky’s bustling Limoges #Market. Enjoy! #COVID19 #workingfromhome #piano #music #share #together

Contorting fingers in quite a popular #pastime at the #piano. Virtuoso pianists in the twentieth century were especially fond of what they called #organist fingering - where you make a silent, sneaky substitution. It lets you layer the music underneath and over a melodic line in a way that makes it seem like it flows opulently in all directions. The effect is of hypnotic yet deceptive simplicity. See if you agree! #COVID19 #workingfromhome #yoga #piano #relaxing #music #sha

#Words usually dictate - that is their downfall. Too often we see or hear words and act according to their instuction, or repeat them, without pausing to think about what they mean to us; what they might mean to someone else; and what the consequences might be of them being undestood differently, or taken out of context . #Music has the distinct position of being able to narrate where words fail to capture a nuance or suggestion. Music can #evoke. It doesn’t carry a prescri

#Smiling is good for us. I’ve been assured it’s a fact that has been backed up with plenty of science. So why are classical concerts full of such serious faces even when the music is trying its best to make you #giggle? I wonder if it’s because like all good #jokes, a musical joke needs #context. It’s only funny if we appreciate what is being parodied. A few weeks ago we would not have found it funny to see memes playing with the idea of #SocialDistancing. So, J is for jo

It's the second surreal week of '#Lockdown' in the United Kingdom. No one knows when restrictions will be lifted, but it does not seem to be soon. So, I am going to start posting a series of musical thoughts at the #piano that hopefully will lift your spirits for a couple of minutes. I'm going to make it a bit more challenging for myself by working through the alphabet. Join me to see what I come up with. Enjoy, #share and keep your morale high! Lockdown Pianist Alphabet:

How surreal everything feels. How divisive and hostile parts of society have become to age, profession, race, lifestyle in just a matter of days, if not hours. For most of us this is the first time in our lives (and perhaps the lives of our parents and elder friends and colleagues) that our sense of liberty is under impending infringement. Musicians live to communicate. They live to speak through #music to bring together a group of people - who may have little in common as