BBC 3's Sandy Burnett talks to Piers Burton-Page

In the next of the series of Putney Music Talks - On and off the beaten track. - Sandy Burnett talks to Piers Burton-Page about his itinerant life as lecturer, BBC Radio 3 broadcaster, conductor and writer, and whether it all pays the mortgage. The event is taking place on 2nd February.

Meetings are held in The Dryburgh Hall, Putney Leisure Centre, Dryburgh Road, at the junction with Upper Richmond Road, Putney, SW15 1BL. Meetings usually take place fortnightly on Monday evenings at 8.00 p.m. from September to April. They last for about two hours with a short interval when tea, coffee & wine are available.

Programme of Putney Music Talks

16 February
Lifting the lid of a Steinway concert grand. Ulrich Gerhartz, Chief Technician at Steinway, talks to Piers Lane about pianos and pianists, and the challenges of satisfying the latter with his expert work on the former.

2 March
‘The most adult conductor I have ever met’. George Bernard Shaw’s appraisal of Sir Thomas Beecham, a stark contrast with Toscanini’s verdict (‘Pagliaccio!’), suggests Beecham as a complex man and artist. President, David Cairns, examines the great conductor’s career and recordings.

16 March
Since winning First Prize at the 1990 Leeds International Piano Competition, Artur Pizarro has been widely regarded as one of the finest performers on today’s concert circuit. He talks to Peter Avis.

30 March
The violinist Anthony Marwood, equally at home in concerto repertoire, in chamber music, on the stage and in new music written for him (including concertos by Thomas Adés and Sally Beamish, both premiered by him at the Proms), talks to Andrew Keener.

28 April
Annual General Meeting followed by wine, buffet and a raffl

Putney Music is a society of music lovers who meet fortnightly from September to April to hear some of the world’s most celebrated musicians talk about their lives and work. Guest speakers come from all fields of music – the concert hall, recital platform, opera, ballet, television and film; and also include producers, broadcasters, critics and writers.

Putney Music was founded in 1950 by the critic and writer, Ralph Hill. It began as a Gramophone Society, which has January 27, 2015 where members and visitors can meet internationally renowned musicians in an informal setting.

The Society enjoys a membership of over two hundred members, some of whom have a considerable knowledge of music while others have very little, but all share a great love of music.

Putney Music extends a welcome to everyone. For young people, especially those studying music, meetings provide a rare opportunity to learn from great musicians how they approach their work, triggering ideas and inspirations that could last a lifetime. For the older person, it offers a unique experience of meeting and learning from the private person behind the public image.

Annual Subscription is £30.00
(Subscriptions for January to April at half the normal fee)

Visitors: temporary membership per meeting £5.00
(Refundable if joining within 14 days or at next meeting)

Young persons under 18 FREE

Additional donations to the Society are always welcome.
Email for membership details

January 27, 2015