Death of a British piano influence
RIPPast students are sharing their sadness at the death of John Barstow, former head of keyboard at the Royal College of Music. He used to pay out of his own pocket for students to hear piano giants like Richter who were playing at the Royal Festival Hall, making the best available experience a part of everyday teaching and life.
His students included Barry Douglas, James Lisney, Roger Owens, Karl Lutchmayer and Julian Jacobson.
His own repertoire extended from Byrd to Boulez. He made the premiere recording of the piano concerto of John Joubert.
A very fine pianist & successful pedagogue but from various brief encounters- he could be a slightly difficult man I feel.
Oh John could be awkward and opinionated but always honest and immensely generous with his time (and purse). A one-off!
We can all be ‘difficult’ at times, but is it necessary to raise the matter in relation to the obituary of a respected person?
Thank you for your observation. A certain coterie on this site have the honour of making as many negative comments about as many people, as they can.
Sad.
Nadir- I acknowledged his talents & that he was a ‘respected’ teacher to many aspiring pianists- who were clearly devoted to him & his method. These are just my personal reflections on the man & fair game in any assessment of their life & work.
I don’t think it insulting or disrespectful to acknowledge that a person could be difficult. Beethoven apparently was obstreperous to a degree (and others). It gives a rounder picture unlike epitaphs in churches which talk of nothing but virtue.
Hear hear! Perhaps JB could be difficult but it was usually because he didn’t suffer fools gladly and he could sniff out insincerity and artifice a mile off and he had the courage to call it out- people find this “difficult”
All I know is that he supported his students 110%- and his loyalty was absolute. He made our lives so much richer.
Sounds like a very generous and devoted man who supported his students. But why should he have had to pay out of his own pocket? Why didn’t RCM pay for those tickets, as they should have (and as major conservatories in the US do)? In effect, they forced a worker to subsidize management.
I loved studying with Mr. Barstow at the RCM! He was a wonderful piano professor, and had a wicked sense of humor.
I loved my lessons with JB for 4 years. He was always great company and said, he used to find me a tonic! He introduced me to Rachmaninov and Shostakovich Preludes and Fugues. He used to say, “the problem with you, is that you’re an oboist,” which I took as a compliment, ie. I wasn’t practising the piano for 6 hours daily. He also couldn’t understand why I wanted to play such an “unmusical” instrument as the organ – I’ve taken it up again, now that I’ve been working as organist in a church since 2017. I always got on well with him, and we always had plenty to chat about. I would describe studying with him, as “user friendly” – he didn’t nitpick, but what he said, made complete sense, and was easy to execute.
JB was a super important piano professor at the RCM who was respected. He shared his meals with the students in the canteen and was great fun. With a not politically correct sense of humour.
Once we heard wind instruments rehearsing and he said that it sounded like a traffic jam in Hyde Park.
In my entrance examination, seeing the long time I was taking to do the sight-reading he asked me if I was “learning it from memory” I was terrified but had a laugh!
Although he was not my teacher, he was very supportive of my concerts and I remember dedicating to him at the Wigmore, Malagueña by Lecuona. He knew his sister.
He was a lover of refined piano playing.
I loved my chamber music coaching with him as a youngster in the early ’80s & found it hugely enriching personally & musically.
He was great fun, & produced great results.
I remember him very fondly.
May he RIP.
John was an excellent pianist and inspiring piano teacher. He helped me greatly with my playing. He had a lovely way of teaching – treating each of his pupils as individuals – and liking to know how each ‘ticked’!
His great sense of humour was always thoroughly enjoyable..
Thank you for everything John!
Proud to have been a member of Mr Barstow’s ‘family’ of young students, as that’s how he made us feel; never stuffy nor aloof, just a down to earth Yorkshireman who happened to possess a superb talent and the gift of excellent communication.
My memories stretch way beyond my weekly lesson in room 73 (he was proud to have the largest studio, detesting having to examine the entrance auditions & gradings in a smaller room, unflattering to the tone of the large Steinway); trips to concerts, g&t in the interval and a curry afterwards – which he insisted on paying for – catch up lesson over the holidays in his Clapham home …
The words I’ll never forget, that I have lived by & advise others to: “It doesn’t matter what you get up to but be good at your work, do a fine job and you’ll be respected”.
John Barstow taught me for a year before I took my ARCM. He instilled in me a sense of practise in a steady routine daily, not having to invest emotionally until relevant. His approach was refreshingly workman-like and liberating. His fantastic humour, and blunt comments used to amuse and shock his friends, students and colleagues. Life in Room 73 was never dull. I appreciated him so much and am forever grateful for knowing him and being taught by him.