Pianist

New balance

Peter Jablonski has had more reason than most of us to use quarantine as a time for going back to basics. In 2018 the Swedish pianist was diagnosed with ‘frozen shoulder’ syndrome. It took 18 months of patience and therapy before he could even think about resuming a career that has taken him around the globe countless times, heaping up honours, awards and a considerable discography (first for Decca, now Ondine) along the way. Then Covid-19 arrived.

Rather than cabin fever, time shut at home has given Jablonski a healthy sense of perspective. Having a partner (Anastasia Belina) who is also a musicologist helps, he tells me: ‘She keeps throwing repertoire at me that I have never heard of!’ At her encouragement he picked up the overlooked music of Alexey Stanchinsky, a Russian contemporary of

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Pianist

Pianist1 min read
Cornelius GURLITT (1820-1901)
One often associates German composer Cornelius Gurlitt with easy, rather ‘plain’ repertoire. However, this delightful set of six pieces, entitled Spring Flowers, is anything but mundane! The set was first published in 1896, ‘Daffodil’ featuring as th
Pianist5 min read
Mendelssohn Spring Song Op 62 No 6
ABILITY RATING ADVANCED Key A major Tempo Allegretto grazioso Style Romantic Will improve your ✓Arpeggiated chords ✓Phrasing ✓Voicing This glorious, open-hearted piece remains ever-popular with performers and audiences alike. And for good reason. It
Pianist2 min readMusic
Spring Has Sprung
‘Thank goodness spring is here,’ I thought, as I looked out onto the garden one morning in early March, watching my cat weave his way through the daffodils. Spring brings the promise of new life. The dispelling of cold, hard winter, and the welcome a

Related Books & Audiobooks