Aspiring pianists strive to perform with power, flair, and with a type of sound that is distinctive. Reaching this level of musicality naturally requires immense effort and dedication. It also requires a vivid imagination, in order to be able to tell a story with one’s playing. But how does one develop a musical imagination? My answer is rather simple: play some Bach. Developing a Musical … [Read more...]

Editor's note: This is the second in a two-part series by Christopher Richardson, a veteran of more than 50 competitions (and winner in more than 40 of them), about the role of piano competitions from a young artist's point of view. For many pianists (all musicians for that matter, especially classical musicians), competitions are almost a way of life. The further you go in your career, … [Read more...]