A perceptive review of the Rzewski which echoed my own thoughts.
There was something rather moving about seeing the composer himself playing the solo part. Quite a rarity these days.
The last time I witnessed this scenario at the Proms was Roger Smalley.
I suppose it’s outside the remit of the rather conservative instincts of Roger Wright (or whoever commissions new pieces),but a piano concerto from Michael Finnissy, with the composer as soloist would surely be an arresting idea. Do we really need yet another piece by Turnage etc.??!!
i admire & echo your sentiments, but considering how often Finnissy has been represented, suggestions like that are, sadly, the most pipe-like of dreams. i suspect the Proms need Roger Wright to move on before they’ve any hope of entering a brave new world.
Conor
11 years ago
Just wondering what you thought of John White’s Chord-Breaking Machine. It wasn’t a premiere, but it’s worth checking out no less!
I agree with Giles re: commissioning Michael Finnissy.
A perceptive review of the Rzewski which echoed my own thoughts.
There was something rather moving about seeing the composer himself playing the solo part. Quite a rarity these days.
The last time I witnessed this scenario at the Proms was Roger Smalley.
I suppose it’s outside the remit of the rather conservative instincts of Roger Wright (or whoever commissions new pieces),but a piano concerto from Michael Finnissy, with the composer as soloist would surely be an arresting idea. Do we really need yet another piece by Turnage etc.??!!
i admire & echo your sentiments, but considering how often Finnissy has been represented, suggestions like that are, sadly, the most pipe-like of dreams. i suspect the Proms need Roger Wright to move on before they’ve any hope of entering a brave new world.
Just wondering what you thought of John White’s Chord-Breaking Machine. It wasn’t a premiere, but it’s worth checking out no less!
I agree with Giles re: commissioning Michael Finnissy.
i didn’t find the John White piece interesting at all, very monotonous & predictable.