The Europadisc Review
Grieg - Holberg Suite, Ballade & Lyric Pieces
Andrey Gugnin (piano)
£12.69
The Moscow-born pianist Andrey Gugnin has already made a name for himself in repertoire that demands finely etched and exquisitely textured playing as much as broad brushstrokes. His recordings of Preludes and Sonatas by Shostakovich, Mazurkas by Scriabin, and an acclaimed homage disc to Godowsky (all for Hyperion Records) have all demonstrated his mastery of the particular skills demanded in small forms: a vivid response to the music’s character, together with a lightness of touch that doesn’t swamp the expressive atmosphere. For his latest disc, he turns to music by one of late Romanticism’s... read more
The Moscow-born pianist Andrey Gugnin has already made a name for himself in repertoire that demands finely etched and exquisitely textured playing as much as broad brushstrokes. His recordings of Preludes and Sonatas by Shostakovich, Mazurkas by Scr... read more
Grieg - Holberg Suite, Ballade & Lyric Pieces
Andrey Gugnin (piano)
The Spin Doctor Europadisc's Weekly Column
A Smart Move? The Problem of Attracting Audiences... 8th May 2024
8th May 2024
Given the current funding crisis in the arts, classical music desperately needs to attract more audiences, in an ever more competitive marketplace. The attempts to woo younger and more diverse people to events have often been met with scorn by seasoned concertgoers. ‘Give it time,’ they say, ‘and people will become more interested in the classics as they get older.’ But time is running out for many arts organisations – choirs, orchestras, opera companies and smaller ensembles. And among potential audiences may be the performers of tomorrow: an ever-dwindling band, as provision for music education is cut in favour of increased funding for more ‘profitable’ subjects in applied sciences and economics.
Education is, of course, key (as we’ve remarked before). But strategies for attracting wider audiences certainly need addressing. Every year, the old guard complain at the... read more