by Mark Ainley /
Feature / Recordings /
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August 5, 2020
Having only just realized that today is the 70th anniversary of the death of Rosa Tamarkina, I am quickly preparing this commemorative post with some representative recordings and basic biographical information that will then be
Jan Smeterlin plays Chopin
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June 19, 2020
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I am delighted to have written the liner notes for a superb new release of Jan Smeterlin’s incredible 1954 recording of Chopin’s Nocturnes, which also features some other recordings in the two-disc set. Here is
Remembering Joseph Villa
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April 13, 2020
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On the 25th anniversary of the death of the great American pianist Joseph Villa, I am creating this page dedicated to him and his artistry. The passing of this great pianist on April 13, 1995
World Piano Day 2020
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March 28, 2020
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Happy World Piano Day!
This celebratory day is held on the 88th day of the year (nice idea, since the piano has 88 keys), which is usually March 29 – but since we had Leap Year
Musings on Recordings, Concerts, Performance, and Interpretation
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February 10, 2020
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His Master’s Voice
Recording technology has had a profound impact on the musical world. Before we could preserve sound documents, music needed to be played and heard (ie, experienced) ‘live’, whether in the home, a salon,
Favourite Releases of 2019
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December 31, 2019
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I’ve stated previously that I believe we are living in the best time for the availability of historical recordings and 2019 was a banner year that proved that point. We saw increasing numbers of stellar
Jascha Spivakovsky: A Romantic Rediscovered
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November 1, 2019
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Our appreciation of pianists of the past is based primarily on their recordings. How amazing that in this age of digital technology we can listen to the actual playing of pianists born and trained in
The Piano Files 10th Anniversary
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July 8, 2019
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When I began my Facebook page The Piano Files with Mark Ainley ten years ago, I had no idea that it would grow to the extent that it has – that wasn’t the intention. It
Harold Bauer
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July 1, 2019
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“My earliest reaction to music, as far as I can recall, was one of fascinated terror.” It seems amazing that a pianist who produced one of the loveliest sonorities ever captured on record would have
The Dance of the Jester
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April 17, 2019
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The YouTube link at the bottom of this page presents a remarkably clear transfer from a British pressing of a Columbia 78rpm disc featuring Dinu Lipatti’s legendary April 17, 1948 recording of Ravel’s Alborada del Gracioso.