Ian Pace at 50; H&N, Sat 6/10/18; 10:00pm

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A retrospective of the career of the super-pianist, who joins presenter Robert Worby to discuss his career, with CD and Live recordings.

Elliott Carter(1908-2012): 90+
Karlheinz Stockhausen(1928-2007): Klavierstuck X
Rebecca Saunders(b1967): Mirror, mirror, on the wall
Pascal Dusapin(b1955): A Quia (with the Orchestre De Paris, conducted by Christoph Eschenbach)
Michael Finnissy(b1946): Alkan-Paganini
Brian Ferneyhough(b1943): Quirl

plus, short works written specially for Ian's 50th by Mic Spencer, Evan Johnson(b1980), Patricia Sucena de Almeida(b1972), Wieland Hoban(b1978) and Paul Obermayer(b1964).

One of the most significant people in contemporary culture, tireless in his dedication to New Music, to justice, and to younger composers and performers, this will be unmissable for me.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0000n7t

[Richard Barrett]

Yes, a great pianist, an old friend, and often one of the most bloody annoying people I've ever known.

[Tevot]

Thanks for the heads up Ferney,

Of the programme I only know A Quia which I really like. Looking forward to hearing the other pieces.

Best Wishes,

Tevot

[eighthobstruction]

Yes, a great pianist, an old friend, and often one of the most bloody annoying people I've ever known.

[ahinton]

Well?... No responses yet?...

[Quarky]

Well?... No responses yet?...

Haven't got through the first 5 minutes with Ian as yet.......

[Boilk]

Well?... No responses yet?...

Well, Carter's 90+ is a welcome discovery for me.
Currently listening, reached as far as the Saunders piece.

[Bryn]

Why only movements 2 and 3 of Dusapin's A Quia? Fortunatley, the whole of it can be found on Youtube.

et seq.

[kindofblue]

I thought this was a model of R3 broadcasting. An extended interview with an outstanding musician who was given time and space to talk about his art and how it has developed. [Not the usual 'In Tune' tosh about everything being 'amazing/delightful/charming'.] The opportunity to hear some works in full, with valuable commentary from IP as to why he rates them so highly. What a modest chap he is. Will certainly be listening to the Dusapin in full - thanks Bryn! - and purchasing the Ferneyhough on release. [Moments of Cecil Taylor in that piece, or am I hearing things?]
The only omission for me in the programme was any additional insight into his work as a scholar - links can be found on his website - and also his commitment to exposing child abuse and supporting the victims. A great piece of work, thanks to those who put the programme together.

[ahinton]

The only omission for me in the programme was any additional insight into his work as a scholar - links can be found on his website - and also his commitment to exposing child abuse and supporting the victims. A great piece of work, thanks to those who put the programme together.

Indeed so. Ian's work on drawing attention to child abuse, especially in specialist music schools, is such that he deserves a medal for it. How he managed to accompliosh it all in addition to his scholarly work and his playing activities I have less than no idea and I suspect that it came at considerable personal cost to himself. The only other aspect of his work as a pianist that was sidelined was his work with more "standard" repertoire; OK, his recent performances of Chopin and Ravel are quite rare for him but involve no less commitment and, whilst he is justly known for his extensive work with contemporary music, it would be a pity of the impression were conveyed that he ONLY plays this.

[Bryn]

Indeed so. Ian's work on drawing attention to child abuse, especially in specialist music schools, is such that he deserves a medal for it. How he managed to accompliosh it all in addition to his scholarly work and his playing activities I have less than no idea and I suspect that it came at considerable personal cost to himself. The only other aspect of his work as a pianist that was sidelined was his work with more "standard" repertoire; OK, his recent performances of Chopin and Ravel are quite rare for him but involve no less commitment and, whilst he is justly known for his extensive work with contemporary music, it would be a pity of the impression were conveyed that he ONLY plays this.

Indeed. I have very posotive memories of his "Some Versions of Pastoral" of around a decade ago, in which he presented James Clarke – Untitled No. 5 (UK Premiere)., Beethoven-Liszt – Symphony No. 6 in F, “Pastoral” and Michael Finnissy – English Country-Tunes

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I thought this was a model of R3 broadcasting.

- absolutely agree, and with the rest of your Post, too, kindofblue: I cannot remember ever hearing a "better" programme on R3. A superb Musician, replying to Robert Worby's questions with wit and insight and the courtesy of assuming the intelligence of the listeners. Of course, it helped that the repertoire was right up my street - and played with all the phenomenal technical and aesthetic mastery that I long ago learned to take for granted. A pity if this programme is heard only by aficionados of this Muskc/programme/performer - what he had to say about "reading" and "interpretation" should be widely known.

And, yes, Pace's wider repertoire deserves greater celebration - his powerful understanding of Brahms' piano Music is a particular joy. Does anyone know what's happened to his study of Brahms performance history that was due for publication by Ashgate five years ago, but which I can't find on sale anywhere?


(I also agree that it was a pity that we were treated to an "Essential Classics" treatment of the Dusapin. If time was a factor in this, I would have preferred some of the other pieces written to commemorate the birthday, and the whole of A Quia broadcast on another occasion.)

[Bryn]

No slight on Ian is intended when I say I am looking forward to hearing Nicholas Hodges's recording of A Quia, especially as Carolin WIdmann is the soloist in the Violin COncerto on that same disc.