British pianist retires at 70
mainThe Proms favourite Philip Fowke, in a 70th-birthday article in Pianist magazine, has shut the lid for the last time:
After nearly 60 years of performing I have decided to retire from the concert platform and to radically reduce my teaching commitments. It is time to move on and puruse interests that have been on hold for many years.
On the few Fowke recordings that I’ve heard, he seems to be an highly accomplished pianist.
What a wise decision. Go out while you are on a winner! Happy retirement to Peter!
Happy retirement to a dear friend and colleague
An inspiration to many musicians, not just pianists. Always gives his time freely to musicians from all walks of life. A true gentleman and respected by so many. Maybe he has bypassed the super-stardom of some soloists in his profession, but I doubt that would sit easily with his humility as a musician and as a man. I salute the genius and honesty of this terrific British pianist and encourage others to treasure his work as I do.
Thank you, Philip Fowke, for this moving performance. I loved your seeing and hearing you and the piano as the synthesis of two parts of one instrument.
Agreed!
A great pianist and wonderful colleague! Happy days dear Philip…
A brilliant pianist. You can read his full interview, by the way, inside the issue here – https://pktmags.com/115digital
Haven’t heard much of Richard Addinsell’s once wildly popular “Warsaw Concerto” in a day or two. Everyone notices that it begins with the first motif of Liszt’s E-flat concerto in augmentation, which struck me on first hearing. Wasn’t it written for a film “The Moon is Down” or some such, in WWII, and unlike Stravinsky’s “Four Norwegian Moods” actually paid for and used? Stravinsky’s “Moods” include one for the horns that I dearly love, uncharacteristic as that is for both of us.
Here’s wishing all good things to Mr. Fowke in his well-earned retirement, with time for what he likes to pursue and interests him. At a certain age, one must oractice falling and retiring unil you get it right, as I recently learnt.
Fabulous pianist and nice colleague – greatest respect for his decision to retire so “early”, long before anybody might think he should. Wishing him a fantastic time, fully enjoying long-postponed activities.