Friday afternoon, and time for the historical slot I'm trying to do weekly. This is the great Polish pianist Ignaz Friedman talking about the true nature and significance of Chopin in a radio broadcast in America in 1940. He also plays a mazurka, which he delivers with all the qualities I adore in his playing: eloquence, clear and singing tone, fantasy and mercurial poetry. They don't make 'em like this any more...
Happy weekend, all. I am off to Berlin on Sunday for what promises to be quite an adventure, of which more as soon as I'm back.
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Jessica Duchen is a music journalist and the author of four novels, two biographies and several stage works. She writes regularly for The Independent and BBC Music Magazine. Her latest novel, Songs of Triumphant Love, is published by Hodder.
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