Cello land

Back at the annual International Cello Course at Bryanston as one of the resident pianists for the week (along with John Thwaites, Head of Keyboard at Birmingham Conservatoire, and JP Ekins, soloist and chamber musician extraordinaire). Where a typical day might involve playing the Shostakovich, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Chopin, Fauré and Brahms sonatas plus a few hefty concertos, across nine hours of lessons, it's certainly hard work, but wonderful to be totally immersed in such rich repertoire. Playing for lessons given by Pierre Doumenge and Sandy Baillie is always an inspiration, and there was some truly excellent cello playing. Lovely to give a concert with Matt Lowe, JP Ekins and guest star soprano Louise Alder as part of the week, too!