Welcome to the summer issue of Liner Notes Magazine. In terms of subject matter, this issue is roughly divided between piano and opera content. Apropos of the former, I would like to alert readers to a special discount generously offered by Marston Records, this issue’s label focus – see bottom of this page for details. We are further treated to an interview with H. Ward Marston and an interesting piece in which 10 albums from his 40-year career of audio restoration and engineering are surveyed with commentary by Ward himself – it all starts on page 38.
Continuing in a piano vein, the remarkable Norma Fisher, whose artistry is enjoying renewed appreciation on disc thanks to Sonetto Classics,
also joins us for an interview on UK pianists and pianism – see page 140. Pianophiles will surely warm to this issue’s “Desert Island Discs” section – see page 148 – written by pianist Ernest So, whose command of the keyboard is matched by his knowledge of the repertoire and the written word. Pride of place arguably goes to Tom Wolf’s wonderful profile of Luboshutz and Nemenoff, which ties into Marston Records’ new CD set devoted to this intrepid Russian-American piano duo.
Last, but certainly not least, we’d like to draw readers’ attention to Mark Ainley’s Piano Files – see page 13 – a treasure trove of documentary riches on keyboard greats past and present. A final note: pianos and pianists are the twin themes of this issue’s crossword puzzle challenge – see page 183.
Opera lovers can look forward to reading Jon Tolansky’s reminiscences of the great Canadian heldentenor Jon Vickers, whom he knew personally, recorded with (as a member of the Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden) and heard in performance on many occasions – see page 123.
David Patmore, founder of CRQ Editions and a regular contributor to Classical Recordings Quarterly, has written a richly detailed and fascinating history (with discography) of the famous 1951 Verdi broadcasts over RAI to mark the 50th anniversary of the composer’s death – see page 59.
As promised, in addition to such regular CRQ contributors as Jon Tolansky and David Patmore, we are joined by its former Editor and longtime Gramophone contributor Alan Sanders, who has selected two still unsurpassed 78rpm recordings for our “From the Archives” section – see page 87.
Again, thank you for subscribing to Liner Notes Magazine. I hope this finds you well, enjoying a happy summer, and keeping cool.
Warm wishes, Joe
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