The English Pianists - Father and son sharing their love of music

A warm welcome to you - We are father and son, Richard and Alexander Smith; concert pianists (specializing in Frederick Chopin), teachers and adjudicators. Read about our musical heritage and musical lives including the most comprehensive information available on the Web of the great 20th Century pianist and teacher, Herbert Fryer - my father being his last student. We regularly update the site, and hope you enjoy your visit!

On the 15th December, Alexander Smith will be performing at Midwestern State University. Full recital program here

On the 26th June, Alexander Smith will give a 'Salon' recital for the Frisco Music Teachers Association, Professors, guests and students. Read more here (10/4/05)

International concert pianist to visit the 'English pianists' and play at local College, 4th April '05

The American International Pianist, Dr Ruth Morrow, Chair of the Dept. of Music, Mid-Western State University will visit and play in Southport, prior to her lecture recital at the University of Paris, Saint-Denis on April 7th. She will be staying with Richard and Alex Smith, and play a lunchtime recital at King George the Fifth College on Monday, April 4th between 12.40-1.30pm. There will be no admission fee, and members of the public are welcome to attend, by arriving in good time and signing in at the main College Reception desk.

Dr Morrow will be performing a fascinating program of Jazz and Ragtime, ranging from Scott Joplin to Kevin Potts (b.1972). This concert will feature extracts from her extended lecture recital to be heard in Paris.

Richard Smith reviews Dr Ruth Morrow's, 'A new Horizon' recital: click here (5/04/05)

Richard Smith was successful in obtaining this high qualification which was particularly related to the music of Mozart. It included an in depth analysis of Mozart's Fantasia in C minor, K475 and fingering, phrasing and analysis of Mozart's A minor sonata, K310 - performance of both works and in addition performance of Mozart's C major sonata K545 and the Romanze from Mozart's D minor Concerto K466, the orchestral part performed by Alexander Smith. The examination concluded with general questions on the composer.

Richard Smith's believes that Chopin did not compose his Etudes for but a handful of pianists, but rather for advancing and professional pianists alike, to use them for instruction, improvement and pleasure. Practicing Chopin© is a unique book. Its approach finds no companion on the musical shelf. Its task is to encourage and assist those who would venture into what is arguably the ultimate piano collection. Click here for more information on this future publication. Also in negotiation, Concepts of Piano Playing - tracing the golden thread in the tapestry of piano playing.

Update 29 March 2005: We are pleased to announce that a contract for publishing 'Practicing Chopin' has now been offered by the publishing house, Amadeus Press. To be put on a mailing list for information regarding publication dates and distribution click here

Read about one of the most outstanding piano teachers for almost two generations of the 20th Century. Biography and Personal recollections from Richard Smith, his last student.

Richard's Reminiscences
Stories from Richard Smith's Concert Performing and Directing years.
In the latest true life story, read about 'A Triumphal failure'; Sir Charles Groves in the amusing 'Tale of a Fish'. 30 hours of travel for a 20 minutes public appearance and the performance in which Richard had to 'Beat the strike'

Alex's views and opinions as an adjudicator for the Victoria College of Music, London.

Photo Gallery
View the English Pianists Music Room and Concert Directing photos.
Historic sites from around the Northumberland area of Britain and Scotland which we visit when we are not at the pianoforte. Norman castles, Roman buildings and fortified properties. See the wealth of history England has to offer!

Through the words of the composer, friends and colleagues, experience what is was like to be in the company this most refined of performing pianists: the organization and personal feelings leading up to, and the intense fascination, and intimate splendour during the concert of the 26 April 1841.

On this Day:	1787	First performanceof Mozart's Prague Symphony in Prague
Quote of the day:		When he sits at the piano and having repeatedly pushed his hair back over his brow, begins to improvise, then he often rages all too madly upon the ivory keys and lets loose a deluge of heaven-storming ideas, with here and there a few sweet flowers to shed fragrance upon the whole. One feels both blessedness and anxiety, but rather more anxiety...
Quote of the day:		Heinrich Heine talking about Liszt