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?
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.