
RIP Earl Wild, the great American pianist who has died at the age of 94. There's a perceptive and thorough obituary on the Gramophone site, written by Jeremy Nicholas and another excellent one from Allan Kozinn at the New York Times so do have a read.
Here is some film of him playing the Chopin B flat minor Prelude in 1958. It's astonishing...I'm struck by the absolute calm of his aspect while the bedazzlement on the keyboard never ceases. Today's emoting youngsters, take note: concentrate the energy where it really matters!
Farewell to a marvellous musician.
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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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