November 15, 2006

I've been too busy lately to be able to post anything, but today I attended a masterclass given by the legendary Earl Wild at USC. He was born in 1915 and has had an extraordinary career. It was an interesting masterclass; he told everyone that played to use much more pedal. I was asked to play for the masterclass a month ago, but, as it turns out, he wasn't familiar with the pieces I had to offer and, since his eyesight is failing, I was denied the opportunity. That's ok. I usually play every time there is a masterclass and I didn't mind just observing this time.

Wild playing Rachmaninoff, a transcription of "The Little Island."


Here he is playing Liszt.


Here he is in an interview discussing his career and the playing of Rachmaninoff and others.


It has been as hot as.... in November! I'm sick of it. Here are a few clips from heaven: