SPONSORED: Think of Something Beautiful - Malcolm Miller pays tribute to contralto Sybil Michelow (1925-2013).
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DISCUSSION: Defining Our Field - what is 'classical music' to us, why are we involved and what can we learn from our differences? Read John Dante Prevedini's essay, watch the panel discussion and make your own comments.
Born 7 October in the Ukrainian city of Odessa in 1909 (not 1911 as given in New Grove and other reference sources), Shura Cherkassky was a child prodigy at 12, playing before Herbert Hoover in the White House. His career spanning most of the twentieth century was quixotic; many would say exceptional amongst master pianists. His repertoire was vast and many would say his playing of the Romantics stood out in a unique way. Overall, his manner and his pianism produced a compelling force amongst 20th century pianists. He died in London on 27 December 1995.
Spotlight. A Romantic Piano Master - Esdras Mugatik listens to Shura Cherkassky. '... a magical capacity to differentiate levels of sound ...'
Transcending virtuosity - Alistair Hinton comments on points made in Gordon Rumson's recent Chopin review