Tuesday 9 May 2006

Inspired by Allan Wright's recital at Glasgow University a couple of weeks ago, I ordered up a copy of Soler's Fandango to learn, and it arrived today. It's one of those pieces that will probably work equally well on harpsichord and fortepiano, so I'm learning it on the organ just to make it harder. It's a good antidote to Coronation Anthems.

Standing in our local bookshop, I found myself buying a copy of Charles Rosen's Piano Notes.  Even if you don't agree with him on everything, Rosen's writing is so gently eloquent and gracious that it's an enlightening pleasure to read. I never have got round to reading his The Classical Style: that's a gap in my musical education.

But I learned a new cycle route in and out of town today - to the RSAMD in 20 minutes in the sunshine, via the banks of the River Kelvin and a network of glass-strewn concrete underpasses and flyovers at the M8.