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Kobacker Hall, November 1981
14 November 1981 Kobacker Hall, Bowling Green State University, Ohio Mendelssohn, Schumann Fantasy, Schubert/Liszt Lieder, Mephisto waltz (as 11 Nov. 1981) Boris Nelson, in The Toledo Blade 16.11.81: 'Mr Bolet's brilliant playing has been honed to the very edge. His immense, virtuosity, experience, and sheer intelligence all concentrate on the music's lyricism. And being a romantic at heart, he envelops it with a luminous sound that whispers or propels into a sunburst of p
Blue Pumpkin
May 101 min read


Francesco Piemontesi: Wigmore Hall, May 2026
Just occasionally I might mention another pianist, and this evening Monday 4 May 2026 at the Wigmore Hall in London I heard Swiss Italian Francesco Piemontesi (b.1983 Locarno). He played Schubert's Sonata in G Major D894 followed by Liszt's Années de pèlerinage, première année, Suisse S160. I think it is one of the best piano recitals I’ve heard in 40 years of attending concerts. He also treated us to two encores, one of which was beloved of Jorge Bolet: Chopin/Godowsky, Étud
Blue Pumpkin
May 52 min read


Jorge Bolet & Franz Schubert
A portrait once said to be by Leopold Kupelwieser (not authenticated) and said to be of Franz Schubert aged 16, probably drawn before Kupelwieser met Schubert. Modern research suggests it is Karl Joseph Maria von Hartmann or Moritz von Schwind. Jorge Bolet & Franz Schubert. On 30 January - 2 February 1989, Bolet recorded for Decca two sonatas by Schubert, Sonata in A minor D784 and the one in this recital D959. He had in fact played Schubert throughout his career, reasonabl
Blue Pumpkin
Mar 32 min read


Alfred Brendel (1931-2025)
The great Austrian pianist, Alfred Brendel died at his home in Hampstead, north London on 17 June 2025. I was privileged to hear him many...
Blue Pumpkin
Jun 18, 20251 min read


Jorge Bolet, Hong Kong (March 1987)
Jorge Bolet, Hong Kong (March 1987). Two clippings from the South China Morning Post.
Blue Pumpkin
Jun 10, 20251 min read


Happy Birthday, Alfred Brendel!
I'm not just a fan of Jorge Bolet. Another great interest is Alfred Brendel, who today on 5 January 2025 is celebrating his 94th...
Blue Pumpkin
Jan 5, 20252 min read
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