Guestbook

I earlier sent a message concerning your inspiring performance in Poznan (WTC-I); I guess your webmaster found something wrong about it, because it hasn't appeared. I hope to do better this time. Your choice of encore -- Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring in the Hess transcription -- was a touch of genius for a number of reasons. First, after two hours of rigorously unromantic and authentic Bach, it was good to be reminded of the other Bach keyboard tradition, the one associated with pianists of Hess's generation, for whom transcriptions were the mainstay. Second, it is difficult to live in Poland and not be constantly aware of World War II. To hear Bach's Jesu... in such a context is to be reminded of the Blitz, the terrors of the Nazi invasion of Poland, and the great bravery of those who fought in the Battle of Britain (main of them Polish), as well as the bravery of Dame Myra, who morale boosting performances achieved legendary status. Oddly enough, the Poles sitting around me either new the music only in its original Chorale form or not at all. They had never heard of Hess nor did they know of its status as a true "war horse." Yet I sensed that they were touched by it -- truly touched. Perhaps among the many aspiring pianists in the audience last Tuesday, one or two will make the effort to discover more about the encore you played, and, who knows, perhaps they will even add it to their own repertoire. Thanks again for a wonderful, engaging concert.

Dear Angela, I greatly appreciate your playing of Bach - I was very fortunate to be at your performance of the Goldberg Variations in the Whitla Hall, Belfast several years ago. Anyway I have just bought your two recordings of Beethoven sonatas and so impressed am I that I am anxious to know if you plan to record the rest of the "32" if I can refer to them as such. There is a quote which you may like to hear and it goes something like "Life cannot be that bad if for a few dollars you can go out and buy all of Beethoven's piano sonatas" Please let me know if you are planning to record the rest of the sonatas in due course. Thanks, and Every good wish from Philip in N. Ireland

Dear Angela, Thank you for an unforgettable evening in Bristol. I heard 'new' sounds and saw 'new colours' in the music. Thank you too for staying with us during the audience distractions after set four. With appreciation Tony Martin

Dear Ms Hewitt, Many thanks for the wonderful concert you played in Cologne on November 12th, 2007. It was the first time I heard a Fazioli, and indeed the first time I heard you play Bach (Book I of the Well-Tempered Clavier). As I mentioned to you afterwards, I had already thoroughly enjoyed your Schumann programme in Leverkusen some months ago. The hall should have been sold out yesterday, but there certainly were enough coughers and sweet-eaters present to make up for it. Unfortunately, Cologne audiences are particularly notorious for such ill-mannered behaviour - Alfred Brendel even wrote a poem about it ("Die Huster von Köln"). Alas, no-one can guarantee that they will be any quieter during the warmer months of the year... I hope, nonetheless, that you will return in the near future. Thanks again for a moving evening. Sincerely, Brian Cooper